Miller Magazine Issue: 117 September 2019

79 ARTICLE MILLER / SEPTEMBER 2019 a) Items in the screensroom and mill that re- quire attention to obtain optimum performance Optimum milling performance refers to items such as output per hour, extraction, quality of final flour such as colour (ash value), water absorption, protein values and moisture control with regard to milling gain or loss. There are several factors that can influence these items, some of which have only a small effect and others that have a greater bearing. b) Supervision and monitoring of mill perfor- mance Having requested the screensroom and mill to obtain optimum performance, it is necessary to monitor the results on a regular basis to en- sure the maintenance of the correct results. This monitoring by following specific routines and procedures are set out in the tables, where the varying degrees of importance as regards final milling results are shown against each item to be monitored or checked as a routine. Millers must therefore familiarize themselves with this routine for ensuring their shift’s performance. Other items that affect the overall efficient oper- ation of the whole process In addition to the direct factors that influence optimum mill performance and profitability, con- sideration must be given to the more ancillary factors that contribute to this. Consideration must be given to the following: 1) Humidity 2) Accuracy of weighers 3) Exhaust and air movement 4) Mixing of chokes and returned products 5) Losses in packing 6) Weighbridge calibration 7) Any other possible losses 1) Humidity: The ideal situation in any milling process is to be able to maintain constant humidity (preferably at 60 to 65 % humidity). This can only be achieved by installing an air make up system through which the ambient temperatures and pressure within the mill building can be maintained at a constant level. The cost of this system should ideally be