How to make an automatic rotated seedling planting system?

Hi Team,

I am Ashriya and you might already know from my previous posts - making a seedling planting system. I have came up with another idea.

20240419_214712 (1).jpg

uhm imagine a metal rod, holding the entire cylinder drum bit like a pendulum but rather steady in terms of horizontal motion but goes down and up to its original spot. the cylinder bit will rotate as its got a 6 drums for now, which have a drill attached to the end of it, and has a seedling inside the drum and has a small lid opener right underneath it, so it uses some kind of sensors to when the metal rod pushes the cylinder bit to go down and drill into the soil and come back up, using sensors it will open the lid for the seedling to fall through and it rotates after that.

Is there any advice on what kind of materials and how I can get started on this project?

Few questions I am also currently considering for this system is

1. how will the seedlings be watered?

2. how will the seedling fall straight down once the lid is open?(as there is no pvc pipe for the seedling to fall through)

3. how can i make this system automatic?

Your help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thank you

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Comments

JacobZ

Hi @ashriyavarri,

It's good to have you back with new ideas for your planting system.

I would suggest getting a clear idea of the structure of your planter before delving too deeply into the nitty gritty of making it work. Oftentimes, just getting a start will help to clarify where you are going with things.

I would look at Australian Handyman Supplies 20 x 20 x 1.6mm x 2.16m Painted Square Hollow Section Steel as an option for building the frame of your system. You could then use Easyroll 2.5 x 4" Nylon Trolley Wheel With 3/4" Axle Diameter as the wheels.

I am a very visual person who likes to be able to check things out from all angles. Once you have the frame made, you might find that some of your ideas work in theory, but they might not with the frame you've constructed, but it will certainly help to clarify what is and isn't possible and allow you to ask the specific questions that you'll need to answer to turn your vision into reality.

Allow me to tag some of our helpful members to see if they can offer any ideas on your updated project: @CSParnell, @Nailbag, @Noyade, @Dave-1.

Feel free to reach out with any further questions.

Jacob

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/36811#Comment_36811

Hi @ashriyavarri again.

On another thread you mentioned you had less than four months to build this machine. You told me it had to be full scale, I think, and expected to be a functioning prototype which had to be assessed on how well it met the criteria?

What strikes me as odd is you said your teachers told you "to go to Bunnings" which to me is fine, but looking at some of your designs an engineering firm/supplier looks more likely. Your latest napkin design, to me, appears to require electric motors, solenoids, hydraulics, large augers and bottom right - a transportation system employing engine/transmission caterpillar tracks?

Would it be worth going back to your teacher/s and showing them your designs and clarifying exactly what is required of you? I'm with @JacobZ in that Bunnings could/can supply many materials to make something that would help you construct, say a 1/5 scale articulating model that explains your design.

What do you think? Have you seen some of the complexity in making the tracks for instance?

This is jaw-dropping....

Please keep us informed. I'm genuinely interested.

Cheers.

Graeme.

ashriyavarri

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/80632#Comment_80632

Hi @Noyade,

No, I have 4 months left to make this project. The entire purpose of this project is to find a problem and make an innovation/solution and I have to make this system working so not exactly a prototype but I will developing a prototype and working on from there, which is exactly why I'm considered a small sized system from the very start and having a look at the video - I like the idea but I believe its a little too big and heavy.

Please have a look at the following video, the weight is something I'm hoping for my system similar to the one shown in the video.

Do you also have any recommendations on who I could possibly contact?

https://youtu.be/sKRBHaOkXlo?si=t9pNekgWGHrvrWs6

Thank you!

ashriyavarri

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/104890#Comment_104890

Hi @Noyade

I have asked one of my friends to create an explanation of my system in terms of lego pieces in a video. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RqqA-TUns8QmhfDv1XtCGSOLAMMCZB5m/view?usp=drive_link .Please feel free to have a look at the video and understand the process. My only concern right now, is I don't know how I make that mechanism in real life. Could you please assist me from scratch in terms of materials to be used and how and where exactly i can put the one dc motor in place for the entire system to work? In terms of the auger, I have watched a diy auger video and thinking of making exactly that - https://youtu.be/RL7UEei-ck8?si=EXDCj6jVGyLLSfps

Thank you

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/119537#Comment_119537

Morning @ashriyavarri

"Do you also have any recommendations on who I could possibly contact?"

I was gonna suggest places like TAFE and Men's Sheds and even Metalworking forums. There is a good one which is connected to the Australian Woodworking Forum and some of moderators there are TAFE welding lecturers - but be warned, some members can be brutal with their comments and criticisms.

But having seen that video! I'd be trying to talk to those involved at the University of Victoria . But would they talk? Is the machine heading to the patent office?

The seedling delivery is simply magic. It even addresses the problem of "dead space" which I think your auger method would be likely to do, with what looks like a mechanical hand that pushes the earth back. I think that would be essential? It looks to be powered by batteries and is there a compressed air tank at the back?

Plus your rotating chandelier above requires six or more augers? And every time you retract the auger - the head must accurately (in fact, precisely) move a set number of degrees for an accurate deposit of the seedling?

Your thoughts?

Cheers!

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/128414#Comment_128414

"In terms of the auger, I have watched a diy auger video and thinking of making exactly that"

Looks interesting. Please show photos when completed.

Cheers!

ashriyavarri

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/134130#Comment_134130

Ho @Noyade,

After looking at the video, do you have any ideas on how exactly i can power the Geneva drive using the axle rotation. As there was a problem with every rotation of the axle, its going to cause the drum to release a seedling. Hence, I've had to gear down in which using a small gear for the drive wheel and larger gear for the geneva drive. In terms of materials, I'm thinking of a very small sized system using plastic materials that showcases a working model of a real one. However, if you have any ideas for the materials for the entirety of that system showcased in the video, please let me know as I'd be more than happy to get started.

Thank you.

Noyade

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/137742#Comment_137742

Hey there @ashriyavarri

"do you have any ideas on how exactly i can power the Geneva drive using the axle rotation"

Do you mean at a Bunnings level or a University of Victoria level?

I certainly can't do the latter.

And I had to look up Geneva Drive - (I was thinking Colditz).

I'm cooking a curry at the moment (plus a glass of red) and all I can think of is a right-angle driver (with the chuck removed) connected to, believe it or not - a battery powered drill on low gear?

ashriyavarri

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/140195#Comment_140195

Hi @Noyade ,

Could you assist me with filling out a survey? I'm uncertain if you're the right person since I'm aiming to survey people who frequently lift heavy objects. Since I can't directly contact tree planters, I was advised to reach out to people who regularly use their wrists and knees, and often bend down. Could you please help by completing this survey and possibly forwarding it to ANYONE who engages in for example, site maintenance activities in their daily lives?

All the people that work at Bunnings, your opinions also matter so if you'd also please help me by completing this 5-minute survey, it'd really help me towards my project.

Rest assured that I won't be collecting any emails and all the responses are anonymous and will be trashed at the end of completing of project!

Thank you!

JacobZ

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/141976#Comment_141976

Hi @ashriyavarri,

I've worked in many heavy manual labour environments, and I would be happy to fill out your survey for you.

Allow me to tag some of our other members who might be able to assist in filling out your survey, @CSParnell, @DIYGnome, @Nailbag, @Dave-1, @homeinmelbourne.

Let me know if there's anything else I can assist with.

Jacob

Noyade

Morning @ashriyavarri

Thanks for the survey, but I'm no longer employable and have the MRIs to prove it. I even struggle standing.

More importantly - how's your machine coming along?

Any photos to share?

Cheers.

ashriyavarri

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/143248#Comment_143248

Thank you so much. It means a lot for my project @JacobZ !

Dave-1

Evening @ashriyavarri

I cant think of anything at the moment but will mull it over overnight. Do you have any pics of your machine so far?

Dave

CSParnell

@ashriyavarri

Project Overview and Advice

Materials and Components:

1. Metal Rod and Cylinder Drum:

- Use lightweight but sturdy metals such as aluminium or stainless steel for the metal rod and cylinder drum. Aluminium is a good choice due to its durability and resistance to corrosion.

2. Drill and Drill Bits:

- Choose high-speed steel (HSS) drill bits for durability and effectiveness in drilling into the soil. The drill motor should be powerful enough to handle various soil conditions but energy-efficient.

3. Sensors:

- Proximity sensors or limit switches to detect when the metal rod pushes the cylinder down.

- Optical or infrared sensors to ensure accurate positioning of the drum and seedling release mechanism.

4. Lid Opener Mechanism:

- Small solenoid valves can be used to open the lids automatically. These are reliable and can be controlled electronically.

5. Seedling Release and Alignment:

- To ensure the seedling falls straight down, consider incorporating a guide chute or funnel made of PVC or metal to direct the seedling's path after the lid opens.

6. Watering System:

- Integrate a drip irrigation system with a programmable timer to water the seedlings immediately after planting. Use flexible tubing and drip emitters positioned above each planting spot.

7. Automation:

- Use a microcontroller (e.g., Arduino or Raspberry Pi) to control the sensors, motor, and solenoid valves. Program the microcontroller to coordinate the drilling, seedling release, and rotation of the cylinder drum.

Steps to Get Started:

1. **Design and Prototyping:**

- Create detailed CAD designs of the system, including the metal rod, cylinder drum, drill mechanism, and seedling release system.

- Develop a small-scale prototype to test the drilling and seedling release mechanism. Use 3D printing for parts where possible to save on initial costs.

2. Material Selection and Procurement:

- Source the metals and components from local suppliers or online retailers. Ensure you have all the necessary sensors, motors, and control electronics.

3. Building the System:

- Assemble the mechanical components, ensuring that the metal rod and cylinder drum are securely mounted and can move smoothly.

- Install the sensors and connect them to the microcontroller. Write and upload the necessary code to control the system.

4. Testing and Iteration:

- Test the system in a controlled environment. Check the drilling, seedling release, and rotation functions. Adjust the sensor positions and timings as needed.

- Iterate on the design based on testing feedback, improving any components that do not perform as expected.

Addressing Your Questions:

1. How will the seedlings be watered?

- Integrate a drip irrigation system as mentioned above. Ensure the water flow can be adjusted and is timed to coincide with the planting process.

2. How will the seedling fall straight down once the lid is open?

- Use a guide chute or funnel to direct the seedling's fall. This can be a simple PVC pipe or a custom-fabricated guide that aligns with the lid opening.

3. How can I make this system automatic?

- Use a microcontroller to automate the process. Program it to control the sequence of actions: drilling, seedling release, and cylinder rotation. Use sensors to provide feedback to the microcontroller, ensuring precise operation.

By following these steps and considering the components mentioned, you should be able to build a functional and efficient seedling planting system.

ashriyavarri

https://www.workshop.bunnings.com.au/discussion/comment/38266#Comment_38266

Hi Team,

I just had another question. How can I attach a simple servo motor to rotate a shaft which is connected to a pinion that in turn rotates the rack? The pink is the pinion and the shaft is the beige. The blue is something I've designed for the motor to sit on securely but with your suggestions I can improve it better?

Thank you.

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