Seed Counting Technology

Challenges For Nurseries

Introduction
As seeds become more and more expensive, the need to have seeds counted by the actual number and not by an estimated weight value becomes more and more critical. For seed manufacturers, such a change can save hundreds of thousands of dollars every year without requiring any change in its production process. For plant nurseries, on the other side of this equation, previously there was no way for them to check whether the quantity of seeds they purchased accurately matched the amount of seeds delivered. DATA Technologies counting machines are based on an existing, advanced technology that has now been adapted to meet new standards in the seeds industry enabling both seed manufacturers and plant nurseries to conduct their transactions using exact numbers rather than estimates.

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Challenges Faced by Nurseries

In the normal flow, nurseries purchase vast amounts of seed from seed manufacturers, sow and raise inventory, and ultimately sell their end-products to customers, landscapers, gardeners, etc. Amazingly enough, the seed industry largely remains one that conducts transactions by relying on estimated weights rather than exact numbers. When someone places an order with a seed manufacturer, many of them will include a certain percentage of overage to ensure meeting the number specified in the order. Nurseries are largely left to trust the seed packaging process and either do not check what they receive, or check with the same inaccurate method. Finally, if the nursery does discover a Problem, typically it is during the sowing stage or after a long delay, during which the seeds were in storage. Returning to the seed manufacturer may not be possible, and even if it is, there is no guarantee that sufficient seed will be available to counter any problem in the original delivery.

Industry Requirements
Nurseries are tasked with processing thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of seeds each season. Any solution that would involve verifying the exact number of seeds received from seed manufacturers would need to be: Extremely accurate Cost-effective Fast and easy-to-integrate Scalable to accurately count large and small quantities of seeds

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Estimated Weight versus Exact Count

Following are examples of some of the issues faced by nurseries that may arise as a result of receiving seeds based on estimated weights, as is currently very common in the industry.
ordered, some seed manufacturers add an additional percentage. On the nursery side, the inventory is run based on the ordered amount and not the actual number delivered. This overage is not used effectively to against future orders. By counting the seeds when they arrive, the inventory can be adjusted to an actual number and the nursery can take advantage of this extra profit margin. Future orders can be lower because they will be based on the actual seeds on hand, rather than based on an estimation.

Receiving seeds from the seeds supplier

65%- 85% of the plants selling price is typically based on the price paid for the seed. This means that the more accurate the seed control process is, the higher the increase in profitability. The economic risk to a nursery is very high. Like many businesses, the nursery must balance stock on hand against possible orders. Unlike businesses that sell non-perishable items, a nursery carries additional risks and therefore must be even more diligent to keep minimal stock on hand while still finding a way to be ready to process any order that is received. Only by having an accurate accounting can a nursery maximize its profits and reach this goal.

Taking seeds from stock for sowing

When preparing seeds for sowing, it is more efficient to properly count the number of seeds you wish to sow rather than working with a whole package and then bringing back unused seeds. This is nearly impossible to accomplish when working with estimations based on weight and very simple and cost-effective when working with a solution that counts small and large quantities of seeds quickly and precisely.

Receiving seeds from growers

Efficiency of the sowing process

When seeds are received from growers, the seeds usually are not packaged in their original bags. If you want to know how many seeds are actually in these bags, the most cost-effective technology will enable you to count the seeds using a method that reflects the actual number of seeds.

Using the seed overage effectively

When you transfer seeds in exact numbers to the sowing department, you can track the efficiency of the sowing process. For example, if the sowing machine is not calibrated properly, it can sow more than one seed in each hole. Knowing the exact number of seeds you had at the start will help you to easily track this process and determine if there is any problem in the sowing process (or if the problem was not having received the proper number of seeds to begin with).

As previously explained, many seed manufacturers package and sell their product based on an estimated weight rather than an actual count. To offset the possibility of not supplying at least the amount

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DATA Products for Nurseries

DATA Count S-JR
The DATA Count S-JR quickly and accurately counts seeds as small as 0.7 mm, eliminating the imprecision of weighing solutions to save you money. Designed for companies of all sizes, DATA Count S-JR offers an efficient means of ensuring control. It is an essential tool for manufacturers, breeders and nurseries in the seed industry. The device employs proprietary patented technology.

Technical Description
Voltage: 100 / 240 VAC, 1 phase Frequency: 50/60 Hz Power consumption: 22 W Circuit breaker rate: Minimum 10 A slow blow Dimensions: 212120 cm Weight: 5 KG

Average counting speed capabilities (in seconds)

Quantity 50 Seeds 5 5 5 7 6 100 Seeds 7 7 7 12 10 1,000 Seeds 45 45 45 50 55

Features
Counts seeds of all shapes from 0.7 to 4 mm, at speeds of up to 3,000 seeds per minute Counts a pre-set number of seeds Seeds can be poured directly into plastic bags or a measuring cup Bluetooth connectivity Results can be transferred to PC software, Excel spreadsheets or proprietary software Compatible with Seiko label printer

Seed type Carrot Cherry Tomato Lettuce Pepper

Benefits
Delivers nearly 100% accuracy Saves time and money Controls stock through precise rather than estimated counts Can quickly Can Quickly separate a large bag of seeds into smaller ones Can be used to analyze thousand seeds weight Enables reassignment of labor to more complicated tasks Simple to operate, with a user-friendly interface Low maintenance and easy to clean Small enough to use on any desk or worktop

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DATA Count S-25

DATAs S-25 quickly and accurately counts seeds as small as 1 mm up to 18 mm, eliminating the imprecision of weighing solutions to save you money. The machine is designed to count large quantities of seeds and is ideally suited to seed manufacturers, traders and plant nurseries, all of which need to count seeds of different sizes as fast and as accurately as possible as part of their daily production processes. The S-25 is easy-to-use, easy-to-integrate into automatic filling machines, and delivers an unprecedented accuracy rate of nearly 100%!

Technical Description
Voltage: 115 / 230 VAC, 1 phase Frequency: 50/60 Hz Power consumption: 100 W Circuit breaker rate: Minimum 10 A slow blow Air connector: 6 mm, Air consumption:~ 1 L/min Compressed air: 0.1 Bar (continuously during operation) Dimensions (cm): (W) 55 x (D) 45 x (H) 65 Hopper size: 1,000cc, 1 Liter Weight: 25 Kg

Average counting speed capabilities (in seconds)

Quantity Seed type Cherry Tomato Pepper 50 Seeds 4 5 7 100 Seeds 8 12 15 1,000 Seeds 20 20 30 5,000 Seeds 90 95 120

Features
Precise counting of all seed shapes, from 1 to 18 mm in size Rapid counting capability. For example: 4,000 tomato seeds per minute Can be incorporated in an automatic filling machine Counts a pre-set number of seeds Air system protection on the detection unit Operation by Touch panel PC Fast emptying No pre-calibration required

Benefits
Delivers nearly 100% accuracy Saves time and money Significantly more profitable than scale-reliant packaging Controls stock through precise rather than estimated counts Can be used to analyze thousand seeds weight Simple to operate, with a user-friendly interface Low maintenance and easy to clean

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About DATA
DATA Detection Technologies develops, manufactures, and markets hi-tech counting and packaging systems. DATAs innovative, real-time image processing technology provides unparalleled accuracy and speed. Thus far, DATAs proprietary technology has been applied to the diamond, seed, and pharmaceutical industries DATAs seed counting machines offer tremendous value to customers in many ways: Savings from packaging accurate numbers of seeds, fast and efficiently, and with reduced labor. Flexibility with high counting speed, including easy configuration and the ability to quickly change between many types of seeds. Reduced time from order to delivery, thus taking advantage of new business opportunities. Ability to store, retrieve, and export counting record data to improve inventory management and make the entire process more efficient. DATAs industrial counting machines are capable of packaging over 40 bags of 1,000 tomato seeds per minute thus offering, for the first time, a sustainable counting solution for large-scale industrial seed packaging. DATAs core technology provides real-time image processing of multiple objects as they are free-falling together. It was developed by our multi-disciplinary R&D team, which includes experts in electro-optics, electronics, software and mechanical engineering. DATAs counting and packaging machines are sold and distributed worldwide through a combination of our own salespeople and partnering distributors . Based in Jerusalem, DATA is a dynamic hi-tech company that sets new global standards in counting and packaging systems. Additional information can be found at www.data-technologies.com.

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Data Detection Technologies 12 Hartom ST. (RAD Bldg.) Har Hotzvim Jerusalem 97775, Israel Tel: +972-73-2204444 Fax: +972-73-2204466 Contact us: Tel: +972-73-2204422 / +972-73-2204488

Email: info@data-technologies.com Website: www.data-technologies.com

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