Milking Machines Standardisation

Taranaki Daily News, 30 September 1940, Page 15 (Supplement)

Milking Machines Standardisation

The elimination of waste and the avoidarice of importing materials wherever possible are two important features in the drive for increased production. Investigation at the Wallaceville Research Station, Department of Agriculture, is proceeding in regard to the possibility of standardising many portions of milking machines so that they will be suitable for use with any type of machine selected. Such details as inflations, tubes and piping are considered to be possibly capable of standardisation. There are of course special features of certain machines that serve a definite purpose, have a special appeal to users, and are the property of the inventors. The department does not suggest any interference with this freedom of choice

in obtaining a milking machine. But as was pointed out to a Daily News reporter who visited Wallaceville recently by Mr. W. G. Whittleston, the scientist engaged upon the investigation of milking machine standardisation, the sizes and designs of certain portions of the machines differ. so slightly as to be of little moment. But the differences are just sufficient to make it necessary to scrap all material in hand when a new machine is installed. The inquiry is being made to ascertain the best type and size, for example, of rubber tubing and then to urge manufacturers to keep to the standard size and quality. It may be necessary to provide for this uniformity hy regulation, but this o' course is a question of policy with which the scientific investigator is not concerned. Rubber and tubing are imported goods. If by making them inter-change-able the rubber fittings of a milkins machine could be reduced to a few standard types less rubber would need to be imported and less money sent out of the Dominion. Moreover the difficulties of changing from one type of milking machine to another would be decreased considerably if the less highly technical adjuncts of a machine were standardised and interchangeable. Particular attention is being given to the mechanical simpiicity and durability of the machines examined. This effecl of the machine on milk hygiene is also being studied and the effect produced on the cow's udder.