Autonomous Mill With In-Process Particle Sizing for Natural Products
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mills struggle to maintain consistent quality in grinding natural products due to non-uniform properties, as they rely on indirect methods like force distribution assumptions and manual sampling, leading to inefficiencies and material loss.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous mill with integrated particle measuring probes that continuously monitor and adjust the milling mechanism settings in real-time, ensuring consistent particle size and quality by directly measuring particle size within the milling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual sampling and external measurement are used to monitor particle size, then measurement capability is provided, but productivity decreases due to time delay and material loss
Solution Approach 1:
A light scattering probe is introduced as an intermediary measurement device that can non-invasively measure particle size within the milling process. The probe detects light scattering characteristics of particles in the mill, providing real-time particle size information without requiring manual sampling or external measurement equipment, thus eliminating time delays and material loss while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical sampling process is replaced with an automated optical measurement system. Instead of physically extracting samples using scoops and analyzing them externally, the system uses light scattering detection to measure particle size directly in the milling environment, substituting mechanical sampling with optical detection to achieve continuous, real-time monitoring
2Productivity
If force distribution measurement is used to indirectly determine particle size, then continuous adjustment is enabled, but measurement precision deteriorates for natural products with non-uniform properties
Solution Approach 1:
The indirect mechanical force distribution measurement method is replaced with direct optical particle size measurement. The light scattering probe provides direct detection of particle size characteristics, eliminating the need to infer particle size from force distribution assumptions, thereby improving measurement precision for natural products while maintaining continuous adjustment capability
Solution Approach 2:
Light scattering detection serves as a direct intermediary that measures particle size without relying on indirect force distribution proxies. The optical probe detects scattering patterns that directly correlate with particle size, providing accurate measurements for non-uniform natural products without the assumptions required by force distribution methods
3Measurement precision
If sampling scope is used to extract ground material for analysis, then particle size can be measured, but loss of substance increases due to repetitive sampling
Solution Approach 1:
The light scattering probe acts as a non-invasive intermediary that measures particle size without extracting material from the milling process. By detecting light scattering characteristics of particles within the mill, the system eliminates the need for repetitive sampling scope extraction, thereby preventing material loss while maintaining continuous measurement capability
Solution Approach 2:
The milling system performs self-monitoring of particle size through the integrated light scattering probe, eliminating the need for external sampling and analysis operations. The system serves its own measurement needs by continuously detecting particle size characteristics within the milling process, avoiding the material loss associated with repetitive sampling
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Ensures consistent quality and reduces downtime by automatically adjusting milling parameters, eliminating the need for manual intervention and material loss, while effectively handling variations in natural products.
Implementation Method 1
at least one particle measuring probe (4) which measures the sizes of particles passing by it
Data Source
AI summary
A mill comprising an inlet (1) for products (P) to be milled, at least one milling mechanism (2), an outlet (3) for the milled product (M), at least one particle measuring probe (4) for ascertaining the sizes of the particles running past the particle measuring probe, a control unit, and means for adjusting the milling mechanism (2). The at least one particle measuring probe (4) or a particle removing device which is connected to the particle measuring probe (4) via a suction device is arranged in the milling mechanism (2) or between the milling mechanism (2) and the outlet (3). The control unit is suitable for controlling the means for adjusting the milling mechanism (2) on the basis of information from the at least one particle measuring probe, in particular a size distribution ascertained on the basis of multiple measurements.