Stakeholder meeting with the ProtoTeam and Southampton City Councillor Steve Leggett.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nBeginning the prototype<\/h2>\n\n\n\n The University of Southampton School of Engineering offers challenging Group Design Projects to final year undergraduate students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Six students decided to pursue the design of an automated seed planting robot, inspired by the \u2018Seed Planting Drone\u2019 concept: J Kee Kok (Mechanical Engineering), Kang Jie Lee (Mechanical Engineering), Jan Patel (Civil Engineering), Josh Pinker (Mechanical Engineering), Josh Shearing (Mechanical Engineering), Ser Lin Ung (Mechanical Engineering).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lee had relevant experience working with Aldermoor Community Farm in designing a rainwater harvesting system, and he also had an interest in make a robot suitable to enhance the environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe GDP team\u2019s initial approach was to understand the benefits of planting to enhance soil condition and biodiversity through researching existing technology and interviewing academics, local councillors (picture with Councillor Steve Leggett) and those working on two local community farms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They began also with sketching design ideas for holding and planting seeds, realising that different seeds are more likely to grow if the seeds are sown at different depths. Although in a few areas in the world, seeds can be scattered from the air (as Emily imagined), many seeds would need to be inserted into a hole or furrow in the soil using a ground-based vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n3D CAD model of (a) the drive train and chassis, and (b) the seed metering system.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nInitial concept sketch of a seeding mechanism<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nInitial concept sketch of the automated seed planting system<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe initial concepts compare different systems for counting out a range of seeds to plant them in a spacing apart that suits their growth and leaving soil covering them at a suitable depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The team plans to test some of the options using Discrete Element Modelling, Finite Element Analysis (stress analysis), and Solidworks (CAD) motion studies. In addition, there will be some Fused Deposition Modelling prototypes manufactured to see which designs work best. Once all these steps are complete the full seed-dispensing \/ planting system will be manufactured.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The team hope to visit Emily and her class at James C E Primary Academy to discuss their ideas and how they are addressing the challenges of the project, as part of their learning towards becoming a professional engineer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We can’t wait for the next update on this prototype.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
University of Southampton will turn Year 2 pupil Emily\u2019s Seed Planting Drone idea into reality for their prototype build as part of a continued partnership between University of Southampton and…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":684131,"featured_media":8889,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[303],"tags":[309],"yoast_head":"\n
University of Southampton creating the Seed Planting Drone - Primary Engineer<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n