Development of an Automatic Electromechanical Device for the Stable Movement of Seedlings Contained in Multicell Trays

Abstract

In this work, an electromechanical device is developed to vertically extract seedlings contained in multicell trays. The purpose is to position seedlings and to facilitate the taking of digital images and a safe grasp by a robot system for performing quality control functions of the seedling growth. First, given the technical production requirement, the mechanical structure of the lifting device is designed, simulated, and implemented. Second, the actuators, sensors, and electronics are configured and calibrated in order to obtain stable, continuous, and controllable movements in position and speed. Third, the electromechanical device is integrated into the physical structure and work logic of the robot seedling classifier system. Finally, the result of the long periods of work is presented and discussed.