Direct answer
Scale the dominant constraint first and retain enough flexibility for normal product, pack and demand variation. For flour and starch, confirm the result with representative product and packaging before altering several variables at once.
Likely causes
- Growth assumptions are not connected to measured demand in the flour and starch process.
- A full line is chosen before the product range stabilises in the flour and starch process.
- The next bottleneck is ignored in the flour and starch process.
- Utilities and space cannot support the target in the flour and starch process.
What should be checked first?
- Measure the current operation
- Forecast low, expected and high demand
- Identify the first capacity constraint
- Compare manual, semi-automatic and automatic stages
- Protect changeover flexibility
- Plan utilities and layout
- Set stage-gate acceptance criteria
What should you compare before buying?
Compare the operating principle against the actual product, pack range, sustained good output, measurable quality limits, cleaning, changeover and site conditions. Use representative samples and agree what will be demonstrated during testing before delivery and after installation.
Machinery options for this problem
Start with the first option below. It most closely matches the product, pack and problem described on this page. The other options may suit a wider line or a different level of automation.
Related flour and starch questions
Powders, granules and piecesWhy is flour and starch production giving inconsistent results?
Variation usually begins with changing product or packaging conditions, unstable presentation, unsuitable settings or wear in the process.
See the checks →
Powders, granules and piecesHow can I increase flour and starch production speed?
Increase sustained good output by identifying the actual constraint, separating machine cycle time from handling time and removing the first recurring cause of waiting.
See the checks →
Powders, granules and piecesWhy does flour and starch equipment keep jamming or stopping?
Find the first point where control is lost. A downstream alarm is often only the final symptom of poor feeding, transfer, detection or format control.
See the checks →