Design and Development of a Prototype Vertical Farming Equipment

原型垂直农业设备的设计与开发

• 批准号: 546422-2019
• 负责人: Hoemsen, Raymond
• 金额: $ 1.82万
• 依托单位: Red River College of Applied Arts, Science and Technology
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1
• 财政年份: 2019
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2019-01-01 至 2020-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=680161
• 关键词: Design; Development; Prototype; Vertical; Farming

March Agricultural Ltd. has developed a vertical system of hydroponic growing racks for producing lettuce. The system is a potentially viable model for alleviating produce delivery to Northern communities and a size suitable for use within commercial kitchens and rural market gardener facilities. The current design requires manual sampling, testing and monitoring of key growing parameters and periodic manual adjustment of individual tray positions. Development of a design that incorporates sensors and automated tray movement will improve system control while maintaining growing quality. The proposed design concept features an electro-mechanical system which monitors process parameters and can initiate process changes as required to optimize growing conditions.The Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing (TACAM) at Red River College (RRC) is collaborating with March Ag to develop a detailed design of the improved "Smart" vertical growing system and operational prototype. The design consists of modular hydroponic shelves, equipped with appropriate sensors, which fit into a stationary rack. The sensors will provide inputs to a controller, and when certain values are observed, the system will initiate fluid change, rack movement or airflow change accordingly. A separate tank unit, capable of supporting multiple racks, will be able to perform analysis and adjust fluid nutrient concentration as part of the process control. The intent of this prototype is to offer March Ag the opportunity to assess feasibility of commercializing the system, with an option of also selling monitoring services. Successful implementation of the controller system will utilize emerging technologies in electronics, sensors, Internet of Things (IoT) and manufacturing for an agricultural application.TACAM will conduct the research required for appropriate electronics and circuitry, sensors, pumps and fluid delivery materials, manufacturing processes, controller components and integration of the structural and electro-mechanical systems. The team will utilize their existing expertise in design, electro-mechanical systems integration, metal fabrication, and controller programming to deliver this project. March Agricultural Ltd. represents a progressive Small-Medium Enterprise (SME) in Manitoba with a strong commitment to research and development activities and innovation. The company has the capacity to implement and further advance results of this project through commercialization. This unique vertical growing application will require the College team to expand on its existing knowledge in design, integration and advanced manufacturing. The knowledge gained will benefit research personnel and faculty and will be useful in future research engagements.

March农业有限公司开发了一种用于生产莴苣的垂直水培生长架系统。该系统是一个潜在的可行模式，以减轻生产交付到北方社区和规模适用于商业厨房和农村市场园丁设施。目前的设计需要手动取样，测试和监测关键的生长参数，并定期手动调整个别托盘的位置。开发一种结合传感器和自动托盘移动的设计，将在保持不断增长的质量的同时改善系统控制。拟议的设计概念的特点是一个机电系统，监测过程参数，并可以启动过程中的变化，需要优化growing conditions.The Technology Access Centre for Aerospace and Manufacturing（TACAM）at红河College（RRC）is collaborating with March Ag to develop a detailed design of the improved“Smart”vertical growing system and operational prototype.该设计包括模块化水培货架，配备了适当的传感器，适合固定机架。传感器将向控制器提供输入，并且当观察到某些值时，系统将相应地启动流体改变、机架移动或气流改变。 一个单独的罐单元，能够支持多个机架，将能够进行分析和调整流体营养浓度作为过程控制的一部分。该原型的目的是为March Ag提供评估该系统商业化的可行性的机会，同时还可以选择销售监控服务。控制器系统的成功实施将利用电子、传感器、物联网（IoT）和农业应用制造领域的新兴技术。TACAM将进行适当的电子和电路、传感器、泵和流体输送材料、制造工艺、控制器组件以及结构和机电系统集成所需的研究。该团队将利用他们在设计、机电系统集成、金属制造和控制器编程方面的现有专业知识来交付该项目。March Agricultural Ltd.是马尼托巴一家不断发展的中小型企业（SME），致力于研发活动和创新。该公司有能力通过商业化实施并进一步推进该项目的成果。这种独特的垂直增长应用将要求学院团队扩展其在设计、集成和先进制造方面的现有知识。所获得的知识将有利于研究人员和教师，并将在未来的研究工作中有用。