Gurit helps production of world's first composite milking platform

Gurit, the Isle of Wight-based composite specialist, has helped to produce what is claimed to be the world’s first composite rotary platform for the milking industry.

Waikato Milking Systems in New Zealand has used a composite solution supplied by Gurit in the form of B³ SmartPac – which includes G-Pet, a recyclable structural foam core – in order to create a platform which is claimed to have a 25% longer lifespan than a concrete rotary platform.

Waikato's composite milking platform: a world 'first'

By replacing the concrete elements with composites the platform's weight has been slashed by 80%, while still being able to support the weight of up to 54 cows – more than 32 tonnes – when fully loaded.

Additionally the lighter platform means there is less friction on the running mechanisms, leading to reduced wear and tear.

The platform's deck sections are constructed of a sandwich laminate, comprising G-Pet structural foam core, double bias and quadriaxial E-glass fabrics.

This is then reinforced with a high strength hybrid aramid/glass woven cloth, and laminated using a resin infusion process.

Josh Janmaat, composite division manager at Waikato Milking Platforms, said: “We decided to use the B³ SmartPac as it eliminated the need for time-consuming hand cutting at our own manufacturing facility.

“The SmartPac design and cutting process is very accurate compared with hand cutting, which allows us to apply more stringent quality controls to the finished product.” 

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