Automation for sustainable agriculture

Transplanters play a key role in the modern horticultural industry. They automate the delicate transplanting of plug plants from small trays to larger trays or cultivation areas. These systems work precisely and quickly by gently gripping and transporting seedlings, sorting them according to quality, and placing them precisely. Automation is essential to ensure even spacing and optimum growing conditions.

Festo offers customized solutions for this demanding task:

• 2-axis handling systems with servo drive CMMT-ST and EMMT-ST stepper motors as well as ELGD-TB toothed belt axes provide the precision required for the exact placement and sorting of plants.
• Compressed air service units (M series) provide clean, constant compressed air for precise gripping and smooth movements.
• VTUX valve terminals enable fast and precise control of pneumatic actuators, ideal for fast plant turnover and sorting.

The combination of clean compressed air, fast control and precise positioning forms the basis for powerful and reliable transplanters that ensure maximum efficiency and minimal plant damage.

Automated plant handling systems are crucial for optimizing the flow of materials in large nurseries and greenhouses. These systems move plants efficiently between different growth phases and processing stations, ensuring a smooth process. Plants are sorted according to size and quality, and then transported to the appropriate stations. Automation reduces the manual workload and increases productivity.

Festo offers robust and reliable components for these systems:

• With our Simplified Motion Series, you can solve the simplest motion and positioning tasks electrically and cost-effectively.
• VUVG valves enable fast and precise control of the cylinders for synchronized movements.
• Linear drives DGC-K ensure smooth transport over relatively long distances, ideal for conveyor belts or transport between work areas.
• PUN-H tubing ensures a reliable and efficient compressed air supply.

These components work together seamlessly to create a high-performance system that minimizes downtime and maximizes productivity.

Sorting and packing flowers is a special automation task in horticulture. Modern systems pack flowers efficiently for distribution. The process includes sorting by quality and variety, placing in protective sleeves and feeding the packaged flowers into downstream processes. This automation is crucial in order to treat the delicate flowers gently after harvesting and deliver them to the consumer in optimum quality.

Festo offers electrical and pneumatic solutions for this demanding task:

• Servo drive CMMT-ST and EMMT-ST stepper motors in combination with the ELGD-TB toothed belt axis enable synchronized movements of the robot grips, which guarantee smooth handling of the flowers.
• Festo gripper solutions, which are adapted for different flower sizes and shapes, ensure a secure grip without damage.
• ADN-S compact cylinders perform auxiliary tasks such as manipulating the sleeves and precisely positioning the flowers.

With a combination of electric drives, flexible grippers and reliable pneumatic components, Festo offers comprehensive automation solutions for sorting and packaging flowers and ornamentals.