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--- soil_sampler:start [2021/08/06 16:52] – [Notes] jeff001
+++ soil_sampler:start [2022/03/09 12:27] – [Animation of 3D model] jeff001
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-====== Automated Soil sampling and solution mixer mechanism ======
+====== Soil sampling machine ======
-This project will also serve as Jeff's bachelor thesis.
 ===== Introduction =====
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 ==== Nitrogen in crop management ====
-Nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth, consequently, the fertilization based on it is correlated with crop yields. A lack of knowledge about the current condition of the nitrogen content of the soil may lead farmers to apply large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer with the intention to obtain higher yields of good quality, which seems to be reasonable from an economic point of view as the cost of fertilizer is very small compared to the impact of a low yield; but it does not seem to be a good idea at all from an ecological point of view since this practice brings with it as possible consequence surface- and groundwater pollution, due to nitrate leaching into the soil. Potential health risks for humans and animals are led by high nitrate concentrations in vegetables and in drinking water, as pointed by Andreas Möller et al. (2003, p. 4).
+Nitrogen is an essential element for plant growth, consequently, the fertilization based on it is correlated with crop yields. A lack of knowledge about the current condition of the nitrogen content of the soil may lead farmers to apply large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer with the intention to obtain higher yields of good quality, which seems to be reasonable from an economic point of view as the cost of fertilizer is very small compared to the impact of a low yield; but it does not seem to be a good idea at all from an ecological point of view since this practice brings with it as possible consequence surface- and groundwater pollution, due to nitrate leaching into the soil. Potential health risks for humans and animals are led by high nitrate concentrations in vegetables and in drinking water, as pointed out by Andreas Möller et al. (2003, p. 4).
 ==== Efficient nitrogen fertilization ====
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 Soil samples are usually carried out by external services or farmers, while soil nitrate content analysis is usually carried out ex-situ in a laboratory. Mineralization of soil samples is a particular problem when they are not properly cooled during storage and shipping, which can lead to erroneous values in the analysis result. On the other hand, if the samples are frozen, thawing can substantially increase the nitrate content, producing incorrect information on the condition of the soil (Esala, 1994). Also, the need to send soil samples to a laboratory means that the farmer may have to wait for several days to receive the results.
+==== Ground water pollution map - NRW ====
+{{ :soil_sampler:nrw-gebietskulisse-nitrat-duengeverordnung.jpg?700 |}}
+The Landesamt für Natur, Umwelt und Verbraucherschutz Nordrhein-Westfalen – State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection North Rhine-Westphalia – (LANUV NRW) determined the areas polluted with nitrate implementing the methodological specifications according to AVV GeA (§§ 4-10) in that region of Germany. During the study it has been found relevant the measuring points influenced by agriculture, which showed an excess or an increasing nitrate trend within an observation period 2009-2018. The Figure above shows a result map with the areas polluted by nitrate.
 ==== Project proposal ====
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 The purpose of this project is the development of the prototype of an automated soil sampler and solution mixer machine that prepares the soil for a later soil nitrate content analysis in-situ; consisting of two main mechanisms:
-(i) A soil sampling mechanism, which is able to: (a) take samples from a depth of 1 to 2 feet to suit different crops, and (b) collect the sample for the next step.
+i) A soil sampling mechanism, which is able to: a) take samples from a depth of 1 to 2 feet to suit different crops, and b) collect the sample for the next step.
-(ii) A solution mixer mechanism, which: (a) adds an extractant to the soil sample, (b) has a water container (c) mix the solution so that it is prepared for a further nitrate content analysis, and (d) dispose of the solution and rinse the container, which is necessary after each analysis so as not to interfere with the measurement of the next one. The most commonly used extractant is water, but may be different according to the nitrate test applied; then if the extractant is other than water, a container for it is needed.
+ii) A solution mixer mechanism, which: a) adds an extractant to the soil sample, b) has a water container c) mixes the solution so that it is prepared for a further nitrate content analysis, and d) disposes of the solution and rinse the container, which is necessary after each analysis so as not to interfere with the measurement of the next one. The most commonly used extractant is water, but may be different according to the nitrate test applied; then if the extractant is other than water, a container for it is needed.
-A completely automated system for nitrate content analysis in situ is going to provide the farmer quicker and more accurate results (based on the avoidance of the problems associated with the traditional ex-situ process). Since the mechanism will cover until the mixture of the soil solution, it gives the possibility of using different nitrate tests, such as the widely known strips or ion-selective electrodes.
+A completely automated system for nitrate content analysis in-situ can provide the farmer with quicker and more accurate results (based on the avoidance of the problems associated with the traditional ex-situ process). Since the mechanism covers until the mixture of the soil solution, it gives the possibility of using different nitrate tests, such as the widely known strips or ion-selective electrodes.
 This machine has its own platform on which it is mounted, then it can be carried by any vehicle through the field. A data analysis system would be part of the nitrate test system itself.
-===== Design =====
+===== Tests =====
-==== A.1 V1 - Previous design ====
+A test has been made to check the behavior of a drill to get familiar with the process and consider it for machine structure requirements.
+Soil type: Clayey
-Previous model co-made with my colleague Harley Lara:
+Place: GreenFabLab, KampLintfort, Germany.\\
+Date: 16/April/2021
-Vehicle used: Summit-Xl HL
+**Materials:**
-Sampling:
+. Drill:\\
-  * Up and Down system: Rack and pinion
+- Brand and model: Bosch GSR 18V-21\\
-  * Sampling tool: Drill
+- Torque: 21/55Nm
-  * Sampling tool rotation: DC motor
-Solution mix: As a reference of what can be used, we added a UR3 robotic arm which can be also used in the analyzing system.
+. Drill bit:\\
+- Diameter: 32mm\\
+- Length: 500mm
-{{:soil_sampler:version1_gif.gif?425}}\\
+{{:soil_sampler:drill1.jpg?450|}}
-[[https://a360.co/2NJVoAO|Check 3D model here]]
-==== A.2 V2 - Current design ====
+**Process:**
-Vehicle to use: [[http://wiki.fablab-kali.de/doku.php?id=projects:farmrobot:start#links|Farmrobot]] - it offers bigger space and modules can be better distributed, compared to the Summit-Xl HL.
+The first time, I got to drill 30cm depth.\\
+{{:soil_sampler:Test1_2.jpg?450|}}
-{{:soil_sampler:farmrobot.jpg?425|}}\\
+The second time, I got to drill 50cm, which is the total length of the bit.\\
-[[https://a360.co/3reaGg4|Check 3D model here]]
+{{:soil_sampler:Test1_1.jpg?450|}}
-=== A.2.1 Soil sampling ===
+**Outlook:**
+During this test, it was remarkable that [with this amount of torque and these soil conditions] it is not possible to take a soil sample by drilling more than 30 centimeters deep in one go, separating the total depth on multiple phases would be a good an alternative to increasing torque in this case.
+<!--Measuring the torque in every moment, then when the torque demanded increases, finish that phase, clean the bit and continue with the next one.-->
+===== Design =====
+Sampling:
+  * Up and Down system: Rack and pinion
+  * Sampling tool: Auger
+  * Sampling tool rotation: DC motor
 It is made of two parts: (i) a vertical motion sub-mechanism that is going to move the (ii) drilling mechanism which basically consists of a tool to drill down the soil.
@@ Line 59: / Line 77: @@
   * Sampling tool rotation: DC motor + gearbox
-**A.2.1.1 Draft of concept**
+=== Mechanism draft ===
-{{:soil_sampler:v2-draft.jpg?425}}
+{{:soil_sampler:up-down_draft.jpeg?400|}}
-[[https://a360.co/305kDQJ|Check 3D model here]]
-**A.2.1.2 Adaptation to vehicle**
-{{:soil_sampler:screenshot_2021-03-02_030411.jpg?425|}}
-How it would look like on the FarmRobot:\\
-{{:soil_sampler:screenshot_2021-03-02_025837.jpg?425|}}\\
-[[https://a360.co/3r8mDUm|Check 3D model here]]
-/March/2021
-==== A.3 V3 - No-rover design ====
-{{:soil_sampler:idea2.gif?500|}}
 By checking //other projects// I had the idea of not doing it on a specific rover (the FarmRobot as it was exposed the last time), but doing it on a separated frame exclusive for it, that way it can be carried by any vehicle, whether the FarmRobot, the Summit (the one at the GreenFabLab), also a tractor; I think it will also be better in terms of the stability of the needed water container.
@@ Line 83: / Line 85: @@
 I also add this draft describing the parts that will be part of the Up-Down sub-mechanism for the soil sampling mechanism.
-{{:soil_sampler:up-down_draft.jpeg?400|}}
+=== Animation of 3D model ===
+{{:soil_sampler:drillanimation.gif?350|}}
+=== Prototype in development ===
+{{:soil_sampler:prototype.jpg?700|}}\\
+Taking advantage of the Digital fabrication technologies, 3D printed pieces are being used to evaluate aspects to improve regarding sizes, stability, and performance
-=== A.3.2 Solution mixer ===
+<!--
+==== Solution mixer mechanism ====
   * It needs a water container.
@@ Line 91: / Line 99: @@
   * I consider using the sampling tool also to mix the solution, which will be cleared through future tests and continuous research.
   * It could be partly merged with the Soil sampling part using the container for the sample as a container for mixing the solution using the same sampling tool.
+-->
+===== Rovers =====
-===== References =====
+Rovers available at the Hochschule Rhein-wall to develop or test the mechanism:
-Anbessa, Yadeta & Juskiw, Patricia (2012). Review: Strategies to increase nitrogen use efficiency of spring barley. Canadian Journal of Plant Sciences. 92(2):617-625.
+=== Summit-XL ===
-Andreas Möller, Sven Altfelder, Hans Werner Müller, Talal Darwish & Gilani Abdelgawad. (2003)  A Guide to Sustainable Nitrogen Management in Agricultural Practice.
+The [[https://robotnik.eu/products/mobile-robots/summit-xl-en-2/|Summit-XL]], is a commercial Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) designed to operate indoor and outdoor.
-Esala, Martti. (1994). Deep‐freezing pretreatment and time of extraction of soil samples for inorganic nitrogen determination. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 25(5-6):651-662.
+Dimensions:  720 x 614 x 416 mm\\
+Weight: 65 Kg\\
+Payload: 65 Kg\\
+Max. speed: 3 m/s\\
+Environment: Indoor / Outdoor\\
+Autonomy: 10 h
+{{:soil_sampler:Summit.jpg?500}}\\
-===== To Do =====
+=== Farm robot ===
-RB: Prof. Rolf Becker\\
+Developed in the FabLab_HSRW-KaLi, the [[http://wiki.fablab-kali.de/doku.php?id=projects:farmrobot:start#produktbeschreibung|Farm Robot]] is an open-source robot for weed control in arable and vegetable growing, as well as for use on meadows in nature reserves.
-WK: Prof. Waltraud Kofer\\
-JS: Jan Sonntag\\
-JJ: Jeff Josue
-In conversation with Prof. Becker we talked about:\\
+{{:soil_sampler:FarmBot.jpg?500}}\\
-<do RB>1.Order another sampling tool, one tube type one</do>\\
-<do RB>2.Potentionally order different types of soil</do>\\
-<do WK & RB>3. Select and order the appropriate nitrate strip tests</do>\\
------
-<do JS>4. Set up the wiki / get the wiki to accept file uploads larger than 2MB (so 3D models can be directly uploaded)</do>\\
-<do JJ>5. Finish Sampling module model and make a gif</do>\\
-<do JJ>6. Select best sampling tool for different soil types</do>\\
-<do JJ>7. Find the error in the measurement when ignoring / not determining water content from the soil samples</do>\\
-<do JJ>8. Talk with André about technical aspects of soil sampling</do>\\
-===== Notes =====
+===== References =====
-**Tests**
+Anbessa, Yadeta & Juskiw, Patricia (2012). Review: Strategies to increase nitrogen use efficiency of spring barley. Canadian Journal of Plant Sciences. 92(2):617-625.
-[[soil_sampler:Tests|Tests]]
+Andreas Möller, Sven Altfelder, Hans Werner Müller, Talal Darwish & Gilani Abdelgawad. (2003)  A Guide to Sustainable Nitrogen Management in Agricultural Practice.
-**Bill of Materials**
+Esala, Martti. (1994). Deep‐freezing pretreatment and time of extraction of soil samples for inorganic nitrogen determination. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis 25(5-6):651-662.
-[[https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1ZAaKJ3Ea5_27BIRnqnSo56wTNFgmkp-aZzjndRmn_j4/edit?usp=sharing|BOM - Nitrate Robot]]
+===== Notes =====
-**Thesis files**
-[[https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XOEif4fmKUxznTFeidAw3sRYzkGxGbnxqOlXj8uEfD4/edit?usp=sharing|Exposé]]
 **Rolf's notes**