Design and Development of a Prototype Vertical Farming Equipment

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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.