Design and Development of a Prototype Vertical Farming Equipment

三月农业有限公司开发了一种垂直系统的水培种植架生产生菜。该系统是一种潜在可行的模式，可以减轻向北方社区运送农产品的负担，并且适合在商业厨房和农村市场园艺设施中使用。目前的设计需要人工取样，测试和监测关键的生长参数，并定期手动调整单个托盘位置。开发一种结合传感器和自动托盘移动的设计将改善系统控制，同时保持不断增长的质量。提出的设计概念以机电系统为特征，该系统可以监控工艺参数，并可以根据需要启动工艺更改以优化生长条件。红河学院（RRC）的航空航天和制造技术访问中心（TACAM）正在与March Ag合作开发改进的“智能”垂直种植系统和操作原型的详细设计。该设计由模块化水培货架组成，配备适当的传感器，可以安装在固定的架子上。传感器将向控制器提供输入，当观察到某些值时，系统将相应地启动流体变化，机架运动或气流变化。一个独立的水箱单元，能够支持多个机架，将能够执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可行性的机会，并提供销售监控服务的选择。控制器系统的成功实施将利用电子，传感器，物联网（IoT）和农业应用制造业的新兴技术。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农业有限公司是曼尼托巴省一家不断发展的中小型企业，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，并将在未来的研究活动中有用。

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.