Abstract: A system for grinding particles has an input and an output and a particle flow path between the input and the output for a particle flow. The system may include a milling apparatus configured to grind particles of the particle flow moving along the particle flow path to produce ground particles for the particle flow, and the milling apparatus being configured to reduce a size of the particles of the particle flow. The system may also include a sensor assembly configured to sense at least one characteristic of particles moving along the particle flow path, the sensor assembly utilizing near infrared (NIR) energy to sense the at least one characteristic of particles moving along the particle flow path.

Abstract: A plant processing system may include a plant stripping apparatus with a frame and a plurality of stripping fingers including at least two groups of the stripping fingers being movable relative to each other. Each group of fingers may extend from a respective working surface, and the working surfaces may be oriented in substantial opposition to each other with a gap being formed between the first and second working surfaces to provide a pathway for movement of plant materials between an input and an output of the stripping apparatus.

Abstract: A system may comprise a frame, a pair of rolls with each of the rolls comprising a roll body having opposite ends and a circumferential surface, a plurality of teeth being formed on the circumferential surface, and at least a portion of the circumferential surface being electrically conductive. The roll may also have a roll shaft having end portions extending from the roll body, with each of the end portions extending from one of the ends of the roll body. The system may also comprise roll supports configured to support the rolls on the frame in a manner such that at least one of the rolls is movable to adjust a separation gap between the rolls, a detection apparatus configured to detect contact between the rolls, and a signaling apparatus configured to produce a signal indicating a change in electrical potential is detected by the detection apparatus.

Abstract: A system may comprise a frame, a pair of rolls with each of the rolls comprising a roll body having opposite ends and a circumferential surface, a plurality of teeth being formed on the circumferential surface, and at least a portion of the circumferential surface being electrically conductive. The roll may also have a roll shaft having end portions extending from the roll body, with each of the end portions extending from one of the ends of the roll body. The system may also comprise roll supports configured to support the rolls on the frame in a manner such that at least one of the rolls is movable to adjust a separation gap between the rolls, a detection apparatus configured to detect contact between the rolls, and a signaling apparatus configured to produce a signal indicating a change in electrical potential is detected by the detection apparatus.

Abstract: A system may comprise a frame, a pair of rolls with each of the rolls comprising a roll body having opposite ends and a circumferential surface, a plurality of teeth being formed on the circumferential surface, and at least a portion of the circumferential surface being electrically conductive. The roll may also have a roll shaft having end portions extending from the roll body, with each of the end portions extending from one of the ends of the roll body. The system may also comprise roll supports configured to support the rolls on the frame in a manner such that at least one of the rolls is movable to adjust a separation gap between the rolls, a detection apparatus configured to detect contact between the rolls, and a signaling apparatus configured to produce a signal indicating a change in electrical potential is detected by the detection apparatus.

Abstract: A system for grinding comprises a first grinding apparatus and a sifting apparatus to receive particles from the first grinding apparatus and to remove and divert particles having a size less than a threshold size from a particle path to an output stream such that the particles are not subjected to further grinding. The sifting apparatus comprises a first particle removal stage configured to remove grain particles of a first size and larger, and a second particle removal stage configured to remove grain particles of a second size and larger from the grain path. A second grinding apparatus may be configured to grind grain exiting the sifting apparatus and to output to the sifting apparatus. A method is also disclosed.