Bühler announces the global release of its temperature and vibration management system (TVM) for milling. The system is connected to the Bühler Insights platform and provides essential information on the grinding process based on Bühler’s proprietary algorithms.

TVM detects critical operational conditions early so millers can take timely action. Accurate management of the grinding process helps maintain the best product quality and consistency. Precise settings reduce energy consumption and product wastage.

The launch of TVM represents another significant step towards the fully digitalized and automated SmartMill.

Flour mills today are under great pressure to deliver the best quality product efficiently, consistently, and with a minimum of energy consumption. Over the years, many improvements have been introduced to the industry, but the potential for tangible advances is not exhausted yet. “Our digital services in combination with our industry expertise lift efficiency to entirely new levels and help millers and plant managers to further improve their mill’s performance. Until now controlling the grinding process has been very demanding and challenging. With Bühler’s Temperature and Vibration Management we know precisely what goes on in this important process,” said Johannes Wick, CEO grains & food at Bühler.

Accurate Data Analytics Replace Guesswork

The new technology monitors temperature and vibrations inside the grinding rolls--the most important part of machinery in the milling process. To maintain quality and consistency it is essential to apply the same pressure along the rolls. Any deviation results in reduced quality and consistency of the flour. Up to now, millers relied on trained personnel to manually check the rollers on a frequent basis and time-consuming laboratory analysis to prevent any deviation from acceptable operative parameters. With the TVM, millers can rely on accurate measurements to adjust any imbalances in the grinding gap.

From Sensor to Sophisticated Algorithm

The system consists of wireless sensors placed inside the rollers that connect to the Bühler IoT sensing device. It acts as the interface to the Bühler Insights gateway, which transfers data to the Bühler Insights platform for analysis. Temperature and vibration are measured at multiple points along the entire length of the rollers showing the temperature distribution and vibration patterns. This provides millers with detailed information on temperature imbalances side to side and middle to side and detects overheating. Imbalances indicate that parameter tolerances have been breached or winding occurs on the rollers. The process can be monitored remotely via a user-friendly interface on any device.

Benefits

The benefits for operators include:

* Millers can detect critical operational conditions very early and take timely action.

* The system helps provide the best product quality and consistency.

* Accurate settings result in lower energy consumption and less wastage of raw materials.

* Precise process knowledge allows for recipe optimization.

* Data transparency makes it easy to compare the efficiency of production lines and entire plants.

* The entire service can be operated remotely via computer and smartphone interfaces.

* Preventing overheating of technology parts helps improve the safety of milling plants.

* Simplifying maintenance means less reliance on scarce skilled personnel.

Bühler AG, Uzwil, Switzerland +41 71 955 11 11 www.buhlergroup.com