DEVELOPMENT OF VACUUM DROP PREDICTION FUNCTIONS IN CONVENTIONAL AND QUARTER INDIVIDUAL MILKING SYSTEMS USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

H. Bilgen, H. Oz, U. Strobel, A. Degirmencioglu, S. Rose-Meierhofer, R. Brunsch

Abstract: The objective of this study was to develop empirical functions in order to predict and compare vacuum drops in b and dphase and in claw (or junction point) unconventional and quarter individual milking systems using response surface methodology (RSM). The independent variables considered in the study included the system-working vacuum, pulsation rate and ratio and milk flow rate. Experiments based on the central composite design (CCD), one of the designs in RSM and using water and artificial teat were conducted in the laboratory. The data obtained in the laboratory were then used to develop functions in polynomial form that allowed predicting the vacuum drops in b and d-phase and claw for both systems. The coefficient of the determination for all the models was above 93 % except the one developed for the vacuum drop prediction at junction point in quarter individual milking system. It is believed that the models developed in this study will enhance the knowledge in machine milking and could be used to design the systems for a better performance.

Keywords: b- and d-phase; central composite design; experiment design; machine milking; prediction

Date published: 2019-01-17