Kotech Compressor Supports Milking Parlor Automation & Sanitary Cleaning in Czech Dairy Sector

In the Czech Republic's dairy sector, compressed air is essential but often overlooked until something goes wrong. A dairy processor in the South Bohemian region—an area with a long history of dairy production—was facing two persistent problems with their milking parlor operation. The first was compressor reliability. Their existing unit would trip out at peak demand, causing the milking robots to pause mid-cycle. That meant interrupted milking, stressed cows, and lost production . The farm manager explained: "If the air drops, the robots stop. And when robots stop during milking, that's a problem not just for us but for the animals."

The second issue was air quality. The client's oil-lubricated compressor was showing signs of oil carryover, which risked contaminating the compressed air used for cleaning the milking lines and storage tanks. In dairy processing, even trace amounts of oil can compromise product quality and trigger failed hygiene audits . The farm had recently missed a cleaning validation target, and the equipment supplier had warned that they were "on the edge" of what was acceptable.

Beyond these immediate issues, the farm was expanding its automated milking capacity, adding more robots and increasing the demand for reliable, high-quality compressed air. They needed a solution that could grow with them—and one that didn't require constant maintenance attention.

Kotech deployed a high-reliability rotary screw air compressor specifically configured for dairy farm automation applications. The unit is powered by an energy-efficient electric motor and features Kotech's advanced air-end technology, delivering stable compressed air at the required pressure for pneumatic valves, actuators, and cleaning systems .

To ensure air quality meets food-grade standards, the system is configured with a multi-stage filtration package that removes oil, water, and particulate matter . For applications where compressed air comes into indirect contact with milk or cleaning solutions, Kotech recommends oil-free or properly filtered compressed air to meet hygiene standards .

The compressor's capacity is matched to the farm's peak milking demand, providing enough flow to run all milking robots simultaneously while maintaining pressure for CIP cleaning cycles and pneumatic conveying systems . The unit also features a Variable Speed Drive (VSD) for efficient partial-load operation during off-peak periods, saving energy and reducing wear.

Finally, the compressor is housed in a low-noise enclosure suitable for installation near the milking parlor, minimizing disturbance to the herd during operation.