Seed-counting machine
Seed-counting machine | |
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Industry | Agriculture |
Application | Counting seeds |
Seed counting machines count
Background
The first seed counters were developed to count legumes and other seeds which were large.[1]
Traditionally, the seed
History
Originally people counted seeds by hand, or used a trip board. The first seed-counting machine was the vibratory mechanical seed counter. Modern day electronic seed counters are faster and more accurate.[3] A color-image-based seed sorter was developed which can sort various things by their color.[4]
In 1929 the
The machine will pay for itself over the
In the 1970s other electronic seed counting advancements included an electric eye to count the seeds. Seed counting still involved vibrating the seed, but now the seed would fall through a seed hole.[6]
If the items are put onto the conveyor in a single file, then a simple counting mechanism may provide satisfactory results. However, such a mechanism is inherently slower than if the items were freely placed on the conveyor without posing such limitations. Thus, in the 2000s other parallel counting of multiple objects evolved, including devices that use multiple electromagnetic energy sources and receptors.[7]
Technology
At one time, the methodology included use of
In commercial operations, it is important for the counter to be automatic and accurate. For example, one commercial counter is capable of measuring the hundredth/thousandth
Some seed counters use
In counting, it is important to position one seed at a time by manipulating slit
Some are able to handle up to 23 sample containers. They can do this while maintaining notable accuracy.[A] General purpose electronic seed counters usually count seeds during free fall. They have achieved satisfactory error rates.[10] For example: "Counting errors of less than 0.4% at counting speeds of 400 to 1,180 seeds/min were obtained for seeds of nine different species ranging in size from corn (Zea mays L.) to trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.). Under some conditions, the seed dispenser, a vibratory small parts feeder, segregated wheat kernels (Triticum aestivum L.) into weight classes dispensing heavier kernels first into the counting system."[12][13]
Gallery
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USDAseed packeting machines in operation, circa 1916
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USDA seed packet assembly line, circa 1916
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A seed counter at the W. Atlee Burpee company in 1943
See also
- Agricultural machinery industry
- List of agricultural machinery
- Mechanised agriculture
- Seed drill (box drill, air drill)
References
Notes
- ^ "An automatic seed counter for counting seeds from 1–23 sample containers into 1–23 collecting containers is described. The counter can count and collect either a predetermined number of seeds from each sample or the total number of seeds in each sample. Although the instrument was designed for rapeseed, the counter can accommodate seed species ranging in size from 0·6 to 12·5 mm. For large samples (> 100 seeds), the count accuracy varies from ±1% to ±2%, depending on the size and shape of the seed. When counting in the predetermined mode with small samples (<100 seeds) of small seeds, the count accuracy is reduced to ±3%. Accuracy when counting rapeseed is within ±1·16 seeds standard deviation for sample sizes within the range 10–100 seeds, in either predetermined or total count mode. At present this equipment is not suitable for counting seeds from breeder selections because of the possibility of transferring a seed or seeds from one sample to another; minor changes to the control circuit should make this feasible. It is, however, suitable for the majority of counting requirements for a broad range of seeds.[10]
Citations
- ^ a b "Electronic Counter for Seeds Developed". San Antonio Express. May 24, 1962. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
- ^ a b "The Future for Food Retailing". Agricultural Marketing. United States: Agricultural Marketing Service: 7. 1961.
- ^ "Advancements in Seed Counting Technologies Prompt Committee to Pursue Rule Change Proposal". Iowa State University Seed Science Center. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
- ^ "Savvy Seed Sorter Gains New Fans, USDA ARS Online Magazine Vol. 61, No. 6". Agricultural Research Service. July 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
- ^ "Colorado's Expert Protects Growers Against Poor Seed". The Bismarck Tribune. April 13, 1931. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
- ^ "Improvements, Additions Set at Pioneer Research Station". Huron Daily Plainsman. February 25, 1973. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
- ^ "Method and apparatus for dispensing items". Google patents. United States Patent and Trademark Office. Retrieved September 7, 2022. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
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- ^ "DC-3 Automatic Electronic Seed Counting Machine for Seeds Medical Particles". Gemstone. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
- ^ .
- – via ScienceDirect.
- – via ScienceDirect.
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