Automatic seed drill

Custom industrial machines are tailor-made products that help ensure process repeatability, increase productivity and adapt the machine to the capabilities of the production facilities. Template, off-the-shelf solutions are often not able to meet all the expectations and requirements of the customer. A custom-made machine is adapted to them, thanks to which it is possible to raise production in a company to the next level. One of our recent implementations was an automatic seeder. What are the characteristics of this device, and what purposes does it fulfill?

The automatic seed drill is a device that allows trays to be automatically filled with seeds for germination. In the case of this solution, sunflower seeds were used, but the device can also be used for other types of seeds. The machine provides a tray filling capacity of 500 pieces per hour, but it is also possible to adjust the speed depending on the current needs of the company. The seeder is equipped with a depalletizer, which ensures a constant and uniform rate of picking up and dropping down trays onto the conveyor. Together with the seeder, we have constructed two transporters for empty trays from which they are taken and transferred to the conveyor belt. The belts used in the device are certified for work with foodstuffs. The construction of the device is based on stainless steel and aluminum and has been completed with elements printed in 3D printing technology - covers, housings, and handles.

How does an automatic seed drill work?

The tray conveyor is located in the designated place under the arm of the gripper. The pneumatic gripper is equipped with four suction nozzles, which ensure accurate picking up of each tray from the conveyor.

The gripper transports the trays to the conveyor belts, which can be adjusted in speed to suit your needs. Above the two main conveyor belts, there is a conveyor responsible for the uniform distribution of seeds on the trays. Depending on the grain size, it is possible to adjust the gap through which the seeds are dispensed. Thanks to appropriately selected speed it is possible to "sow" seeds according to needs - they can be distributed on the tray densely (but not on top of each other), or they can occupy the whole volume of the tray.

This process can be seen in the following video:

Why is ordering a customized machine worth it?

 

Custom machine development requires a detailed analysis of the customer's needs. Seemingly similar requirements for a technological solution, as well as analogous industrial processes show significant differences between each other, which has a huge impact on the final parameters of the machine. Individual approach allows better recognition of the problem and proposing the most effective solution. 

Magdalena Rudziewicz

Project coordinator