CPP 302 Core Project II

Development of of low cost seed sowing machine for natural farming

Submitted by Aayush Ghosh Choudhury (P2008ME1101) Dharmpal Yadav (P2008ME1109)

Supervisor: Dr. Satwinder Jit Singh

Acknowledgements
We thank our project supervisor Dr. Satwinder Jit Singh, who has guided us through the project with extreme patience and understanding. We thank Mr Darshan Singh Rudel, Mr. Jitinder Grewal, Dr/ Dipankar De, and Mr. Gaurav Sahai for their valuable inputs. We thank the workshop staff, Mr. Bhogal, Mr. Karan, Mr. Randheer, Mr. Rajiv Mr. Girdhari, who helped us a lot with the fabrication of our product. We would also love to thank all the faculty members of SMMEE, IIT Ropar, who have always been kind and understanding towards our entire batch.

INDEX CHAPTER 1 Introduction 3 CHAPTER 2 Literature Survey 1.1 Farming trends in India .11 1.2 Motivation behind the Project.....12 1.2.1 Current issues in Natural Farming12 1.2.2 Processes and Difficulties in Natural Farming.12 1.3 Study Methodology.......14 1.4 Scope for a Solution ...,.14 CHAPTER 3 Product Design & Realization 2.1 Requirements of the end user ....18 2.2 Frame ..........18 2.3 Seed dropping frame...19 2.4 Seed Carrying and Dropping Assembly .....20 2.5 Machine Capabilities and Operating Ranges .... 23

CHAPTER 4 Suggested Design Improvements 3.1 Cost of Materials ..27 3.2 Scope for further Improvements .....28

Chapter 5 Annexure

CHAPTER 1
Introduction

Natural Farming is a sustainable farming practice. Natural Farming makes all inputs from natural materials, observes the law of the Nature and respects the rights of crops and livestock. Natural Farming heals the soil slashed by chemicals, herbicide and machines. Where Natural Farming is practiced, the soil and water become clean and ecology is recovered. It is even being used as a tool to fight desertification. 1 Natural Farming products have high quality, good taste and better yield. Common perception is that in natural farming, return periods are high, yields are low, and the quality of the produce is bad. In reality it is the opposite. We do not go back to the past, but rather take a leap into the future. 2 It has been observed that natural farming products have much higher nutritional contents. Protein, amino acid, crude fat and other essential nutrient were identified to be as much as 300 percent higher than ordinary products.3 Chemical residue such as nitrate is almost undetectable. Natural Farming does not use pesticide. Pesticides do not only kill insects; they reside in the soil and fruit. When absorbed, it can do serious harm to our bodies. Instead of using toxic chemicals, natural farmers use light, alcohol, aroma, poisonous plant and so forth to control pests. More surprisingly, an ecology that recovered the natural balance will drop in the pests and disease occurrence.4 Natural farming as an approach was established by Masanobu Fukuoka (19132008), a Japanese farmer and philosopher. It is due to this that natural farming is often referred to as "the Fukuoka Method" or "do-nothing farming". The title does not indicate lack of labor, but to the avoidance of manufactured inputs and equipment. Fukuoka suggested that if farmers closely observed local conditions, they could benefit from them. Natural farming is a closed system demanding no outside inputs and mimics nature. Natural farming also differs from conventional organic farming. which Fukuoka considered to be another modern technique that disturbs the natural ecosystem. 5 It is important to note that natural farming, as practiced and taught by Fukuoka6 is not implemented in totality, at least in India. There are significant deviations from the donothing approach. However, the basic principles of eliminating chemical usage,

1 2

http://www.thainaturalfarming.com/index.php?lay=show&ac=article&Id=38076 ngopost.org/story/success-stories-natural-farming-india 3 Gaurav Sahai, Kheti Virasat Mission, Jaitu, Faridkot 4 Darshan Singh Rudel, Raza Organic Farm, Nurpur Bedi 5 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_farming, 2011

One-straw Revolution: Introduction to Natural Farming, Masanobu Fukuoka, 1975 5

minimizing farm mechanization, avoiding tilling, etc., even if partly implemented can help restore the natural quality of the soil.7

Gaurav Sahai (Landran), Kheti Virasat Mission, Jaitu, Faridkot, Punjab

CHAPTER 2
Literature Survey

In this chapter, we would present some studies, which indicate the current state of natural farming in India. Although these studies have been taken from other sources, looking at them collectively provides a good perspective on why natural farming is relevant in India and how much it is actually being used. We have compared the natural farming scenario on India vis--vis other nations. We have also compared the yield of natural vs chemical based farming. E have then looked at the economics of natural farming. Further, we have analyzed the soil quality in different states of India, which, in fact, is a major reason why natural farming has not succeeded in Punjab. 1.1 Natural Farming scenario in India Table 1.1: Land area of major countries under organic agriculture during 2007088

Status of organic farming in India P. Ramesh*, N. R. Panwar, A. B. Singh, S. Ramana, Sushil Kumar Yadav, Rahul Shrivastava and A. Subba Rao, Indian Institute of Soil Science, CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 98,
NO. 9, 10 MAY 2010

Table 1.2: Productivity of crops (t/ha) in organic versus conventional farming9

Status of organic farming in India P. Ramesh*, N. R. Panwar, A. B. Singh, S. Ramana, Sushil Kumar Yadav, Rahul Shrivastava and A. Subba Rao, Indian Institute of Soil Science, CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 98, NO. 9, 10 MAY 2010

Table 1.3: Economics of crop production in organic versus conventional farming10

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Status of organic farming in India P. Ramesh*, N. R. Panwar, A. B. Singh, S. Ramana, Sushil Kumar Yadav, Rahul Shrivastava and A. Subba Rao, Indian Institute of Soil Science, CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 98, NO.
9, 10 MAY 2010

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Table 1.4: Soil quality parameters as affected by organic (Org.) and conventional (Con.) farming 11

11

Food Crops in India in a changing Climate, Walker Institute Research, University of Reading, 2007

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1.2 Farming trends in Punjab Punjab has witnessed serious environmental abuse over the years. The serious social, ecological and livelihood impacts have already started manifesting. Punjab may already be amidst this crisis. This is evident from the report of epidemiological study by School of Public Health, PGIMER and sponsored by PPCB on the effects of effluents on water quality and human health submitted to government of Punjab in 200612. Agrochemicalbased agriculture has taken centre stage in the country's planning and perception and Punjab has become most vital component of this chemical-based agriculture system. Since then, Punjab was projected as the model state for the success of green revolution; it has become the centre of intensive agriculture practices since the 50's. During last five decades, India has increased the consumption of pesticides from 154 MT in 1953-54 to 73,000 MT in 1994-9513. The trend was replicated in Punjab, which become biggest consumer of technical grade pesticides in country. Punjab has highest per hectare usage of pesticides 923 grammes and chemical fertilizers 192.5 kg, in India14. This also indicates that Punjab has the highest pesticide body load among the Indian states. Moreover the cotton belt of Malwa has the highest pesticide consumption density in the country. Punjab is just 2.5% area of the total agricultural land in India and it consumes nearly 18% of the pesticides in the country, where as the cotton belt comprises nearly 15% of the area of Punjab and it consumes nearly 70% of the pesticides in the state15, thus making the equation more dangerous. Apart from causing serious impacts on health of individuals, chemical farming also has adverse effect on the environment. Fertilizers and pesticides that leach into ponds and lakes from farms degrades the quality of water and kills aquatic organisms. Inhaling such chemicals can cause lung disorders. The most important environmental impact of chemical based farming is the effect it has on the soil. Use of chemicals kills microorganisms under the soil. Also, use of heavy machinery like tractor compactifies the soil, which also results in killing of microorganisms within the top and sub soil layers. These microbes actually add biomass to the soil and contribute to its fertility. Hence, in a time when sustainability is of utmost importance, natural farming has an important role to play in restoring the environmental health of Punjab. It is a native paradigm of Punjab; it comes out of its cultural, social and ecological roots and heritage.

Food Crops in India in a changing Climate, Walker Institute Research, University of Reading, 2007 Economics of Farming in Punjab, Issues , strategies and Way Forward, Kheti Virasat Mission, 2007 14 State of Environment 2007, Published by PSCS&T. 15 Economics of Farming in Punjab, Issues , strategies and Way Forward, Kheti Virasat Mission, 2007
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12

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1.3 Motivation behind the Project 1.3.1 Drawbacks of chemical-based farming The constant use of synthetic fertilizers, together with a lack of crop rotation, reduces the soil's fertility year by year. A significant quantity of the nitrate in the synthetic fertilizers used on crops is dissolved by rain. The dissolved nitrate runs off the fields to contaminate water courses. Where repeated deep ploughing is used to turn over the ground, heavy rains can carry away the topsoil and leave the ground useless for cultivation. Usage of tractors and other heavy machinery results in increased soil compaction which in turn leads to reduction in micro-organisms and porosity , thereby reducing the fertility of the soil. It also adds to increase per unit energy consumption leading to increased input costs. Burning of stubble leads to large amounts of potentially useful organic matter disappearing into the sky and also leads to killing of micro-organisms in soil. Use of pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides leads to air pollution, toxication of food and ill effects on the health of improviser. Most of the synthetic agro-chemicals need fossil fuels for their production, leading to price rise fossil fuels.

Based on the points discussed above, and literature available in public domain, one can clearly see that natural farming is a very strong alternative to chemical based farming, as it removes almost all the drawbacks. However, natural farming has not yet been put to widespread use in India. There are some pockets in India, particularly in Maharashtra that do practice natural farming, there is hardly any such practice in Punjab. Part of the reason is the higher fertility of the Maharashtra soil due to high biomass content. However, the major deterrent for natural farming are the limitations mentioned below.

1.2.2 Processes and Difficulties in Natural Farming 1. Shallow Tillage / Plowing: a. Description: Tilling / plowing of farms is required at shallow levels only. It helps keep organic matter intact, leading to sustained/enhanced soil health. b. Difficulties: Use of heavy machinery available causes compaction of soil and deep tillage causes exposure of micro-organisms to sun and wind, leading to disturbance to organic life of soil. 2. Raised Bed Formation: a. Description: It helps in reduction of water usage in comparison to flat field practice by providing adequate formation for mulching (explained below).
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b. Difficulties: Non-availability of machinery for formation of raised trapezoidal beds. 3. Multi-Crop Seed Sowing: a. Description: Intercropping is the key feature of natural farming. It is a systematic approach of crop combinations, complementing each other. For example, intercropping with leguminous crops provides a mechanism for fixation of nitrogen. b. Difficulties: Non-availability of multi seed planters. 4. Mulching: a. Description: It is a process to cover the unused part of the plot with live or dead organic materials. It helps in protection of bare soil from sunlight and wind, leading to creation of humous (organic matter determining the soil health). It is also helpful in reduction of water usage and weed growth. b. Difficulties: Non-availability of such machinery. 5. Harvesting: a. Description: Harvesting of different crops sown in the same field is one of the most difficult tasks involved in natural farming. b. Difficulties: Non-availability of adequate machines due to the inter-cropping nature of natural farming. 6. Grading: a. Description: Grading of the harvested inter-crops is needed for segregation of different food grains. The grading is also required segregation of food grains of an individual crop, based on their physical properties such as size and shape.

b. Difficulties: Non-availability of adequate machines due to inter-cropping nature

of natural farming. To get a deeper insight into the problems mentioned above, we performed field surveys with practicing natural farmers, the details of which are as follows.

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1.4 Field Survey In order to prepare a list of problems and issues, we interviewed natural farmers/scientists in the following locations:

S No. 1 2

Name Darshan Singh Rudel Gaurav Sahai

Location

Size of Land

Affiliation Raza Organic Farm, Chandigarh KhetiVirasat Mission,Jaitu, Faridkot Independent inventor ICAR

Nurpur Bedi, 13 ares Punjab Landran, 6 acres Mohali Chandigarh New Delhi 1 acre -

3 4

Jitinder Grewal Dr. Dipankar De

1.5 Scope for a solution The ideal situation would be to develop an implement which could take care of all the above processes. But not only will it be extremely difficult to design and fabricate, but it would also turn out to be prohibitively expensive for certain farmers. Also, the machine would be heavy, and that is totally undesirable, as it could lead to soil compactification and destruction of biomass. Based on our field survey, we realized that multiple seed sowing on ridges was one of the most critical areas that needed attention. Currently, the process is done manually and is very demanding in terms of time and labour. We have, therefore attempted to tackle the problem by developing an appropriate product. The proposed design has been discussed in greater detail in subsequent sections. Ridge Till system One of the basic principles of natural farming is multi-cropping, which involves cultivating a commercial crop along with a legume on the same field, simultaneously. The legume acts as a nitrogen fixator, thus enriching the soil. Also, it provides the critical function of providing biomass for mulching (discussed above). The ridge till system is an imperative tool, a must have for the purpose of multi-cropping. Consider the figure below.

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Figure 2.1 W (i) indicate rows of wheat plantation and L (i) denote rows of pea plantation. The water requirements for wheat and pea are totally different. Wheat is a water intensive crop whereas pea requires much lesser amount of water. Using more water than necessary not only leads to wastage, but also destroys the yield of pea. However, if plantation is done on ridges, and the water channel is made as shown, then the wheat rows get preferentially more water, which is desired. The ridge till system of farming has certain distinct advantages as compared to farming on completely flat beds. Firstly, it reduces water consumption by roughly 60 to 70 percent.16 It also reduces seed requirement significantly, if precision seed sowing at definite locations is made possible. A big challenge lies in developing machinery that can accurately sow seeds at well defined spacing on those ridges, thus reducing seed wastage. Even more critical than the seed wastage is the massive time and manpower loss that is created in the absence of lightweight machines to sow two different kinds of crops along the ridges in three rows.

Figure 2.2
Based on our observations provided to us by the farmers we interviewed, the following points were revealed regarding the use of a seed sowing attachment on a tractor. 1. It was almost impossible to monitor the direction in the discharge tip for the seeds moved, as the tractor swayed from original line of motion. 2. As discussed above, lot more seeds were used than required.
16

http://eap.mcgill.ca/MagRack/SF/Spring%2094%20K.htm, 3rd Dec 2011

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3. The tractor, being a heavy machine often destroyed the ridges completely. 4. It led to soil compactification, which is strongly opposed in natural farming. 5. Even if the tractor did provide control, it required a very high level of skill in actually driving the tractor. Such skilled labor is either very expensive or is not available. Based on the above observations and feedback, obtained during our visits, we compiled a list of features that were needed from the machine that we intended to design. Our aim is to design a product that was easy to fabricate, inexpensive and had the potential for production on a mass scale. The following list of requirements was prepared prior to designing the implement. This was prepared after consultation with the farmers we interviewed. There were slight variations in the figures they gave us, and we have tried to meet most of the requirements by making the device operable over ranges of parameter values. Table 2.1 List of requirements S No. Parameter MinValue (in/mm) 1 2 3 4 Ridge Width Ridge Height Inter-row distance Distance between seeds along a row 18/457.2 6/152.4 6/152.4 2/50.4

Max Value (in/mm) 30/762 9/228.6 8/203.2 8/203.2

Keeping the above requirements in the backdrop, we designed and fabricated the multiple seed sowing machine for natural farming. Henceforth, we have discussed the design of the individual; elements of the design and indicated the achieved ranges vis--vis the required values.

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CHAPTER 2
Product Design and Realization

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2.2 Design of individual elements 2.2.1 Frame

Fig. 2.1 Frame The above figure shows the basic frame which supports the entire structure. It is made using mild steel pipes joined using arc welding. The reason we chose mild steel was because it provided sufficient strength at low cost. The most important design parameter for the frame is its width, which is 20 inches/ 508mm. This is done as the minimum width of the top of the ridge is 18 in/ 457.2 mm. The length of the handle of the frame is 42.48 in / 1078.9 mm. The horizontal and vertical dimensions of the frame have been so chosen to provide sufficient horizontal for component, as well as maintain comfort of use in terms of height. An optimum height for this purpose would be around 3.5 feet. The point being thus located in space, the shortest path between the two points was taken, to reduce material wastage and minimize weight.

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2.2.2 Seed dropping frame

Fig 2.2 Seed dropping frame The seed dropping frame consists of two parts, the guide pipes P1-7 (refer Fig 2.2) and the tillers T1-7 (refer Fig 2.2). The mild steel pipes P (1-8), joined to the main frame through arc welding, are used to guide the flexible polymer pipes carrying the seed from the discharge points of the seed carrying and dropping assembly (discussed later in detail). The distances between the guiding pipes are so chosen that the user gets a working range of 5 inches to 9 inches on either side of P4. This range was chosen after consultations with the farmer we had spoken to during our field trips. The square pipes (T1-7) are used for placing tillers. Tillers are used for removing soil as he machine moves forward, to create space for the dropped seed. Majority of the soil so removed is restored as the tiller leaves the location and moves ahead. Each of the square pipes has two nuts welded to it. The nuts are used for holding bolts for holding the tillers inside the pipes by friction. This arrangement has been made to facilitate tilling for variable ridge heights. With the current arrangement, ridges ranging from 6inches to 9 inches can be tilled. The tillers could be moved inside the pipes T1-7, depending on the depth of tilling required. The depth is frozen by tightening bolts on the two nuts (N1, N2) welded on the pipes.

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2.3 Seed carrying and dropping assembly

Fig. 2.4 Container-Disk Assembly

The seed carrying and dropping assembly consists of two essential parts, the seed carrying containers C1-3 and the seed picking and dropping disks D1-3. The three identical containers C1-3 are made of mild steel. They are attached to the frame with the help of nuts and bolts (M4). The shape of the containers has been so designed to facilitate maximum utilization of the bucket volume. We could have chosen a semi circular profile too, it would have been difficult to fix the bucket on the frame in a manner which would make it easy to remove and replace. Each of the containers has two holes. The hole located at the centre of one of the faces allows the drive shaft S1-2 to pass through. The other hole, discussed below, is enables discharge of seeds from the container. The seed carrying and dropping mechanism has been discussed in subsequent sections. The three disks (D1-3) pick up the seeds from the container as the shafts S1 and S2 rotate about their axes. As the holes on the disk get aligned with the discharge holes on the containers, a seed (or a group of seeds) is dropped out of the discharge hole. The seeds are picked up inside the container as the disk rotates, by small buckets attached to the Disk (D1-3), directly above the holes. A blown up view of the small bucket is shown below.

Fig. 2.5 Seed Carrying

Fig. 2.6 Seed picking bucket Disk(D(i))

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The buckets have been made in the form of 180 degrees rotated curve. The semi circular profile ensures that the seeds inside it are pulled towards the disk wall by gravity, and hence towards the discharge points. The opening of the bucket, through which the seed enters, is 7.5mm, which is 1.5 times the average diameter of a dry chickpea seed17. The buckets were attached to the disk at various angles, and it was found that a negative angle of 100 with respect to horizontal axis worked best. The number of seeds making it to the corresponding discharge hole, without dropping out turned out to be the maximum for this angle. The idea behind providing a negative angle between the bucket and the tangent at the corresponding hole location is to ensure reduce the probability of a seed dropping back into the bucket as the hole location matches with the discharge location. The location of the discharge hole has been indicated in Fig 2.7. It could be observed that an extra length of 5mm has been provided beyond the semi circular profile of the interior of the bucket (Refer to Drawing 3 in the appendix). This clearance also has been provided to ensure that the seed does not drop out of the bucket before reaching the discharge location.

Fig. 2.7 Location of discharge hole The range of operation of the disk, which could be defined as the angle the radius travels between seed picking and seed dropping is -900 to 200, with 00 being defined as the location of the radius when it is parallel to the ground. The discharge location being at +200 allows us to increase the amount of seeds being carried in the container, as compared to when it would have dropped at 00. The seed passes through a pipe before dropping on the ground at a point guided by any three of P (1-7). The shape of C(1-3) was made such that it facilitates maximum utilization of its volume, in terms of the disc picking up seeds from it (Refer to drawing number 4 in the appendix.). Use of a rectangular container led to a lot of seeds remaining unpicked. Using a U- shape container, following the profile of D1-3, would have led to maximum utilization of the buckets volume. However, it would not have been appropriate from the point of view of
17

The diameter of pea seed was taken as 5mm. This was done by measuring the size of over 50 chickpea seed. The average size was 5.1mm.

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ease of manufacturing and modular mounting. A container with a rectangular base can be easily mounted using bolts on the frame, and removed at will. Removal is necessary for carrying out maintenance. So individual sheets were cut in the required shapes and gas welded (in oxy acetylene flame) to form the final shape. The shafts S(1-2) penetrate the bucket and have disks D(1-3) mounted on them through bushings made of mild steel, fitted on the shaft using M4 bolts. The disks are made through rapid prototyping. The shafts S1 and S2 are mounted on the frame with the help of ball bearings placed inside plummer blocks made of cast iron. The advantage that a plummer block offers is that the bearing inside it is free to rotate in multiple directions, while being constrained within the block. This feature takes care of minor misalignments or shaft vibrations by self-correcting the orientation of the bearings. The bearings used here are standard ball bearings of size 20mm, with covers to make them dust proof.

2.4 Wheels and Drive-train The wheel that we have used for the machine is standard bicycle wheel of diameter 26 in/660.4 mm. The wheels are mounted on an axle, which is mounted on the frame through 20mm ball bearings fitted inside plummer blocks. Since maximum ridge height has been taken to be 9 in/ 228.6 mm (refer to table 2.1), a clearance of 4 inches/101.6 mm has been provided over the top of the ridge. This clearance is required to accommodate drive sprockets mounted on the axle. It is from the axle that we take the drive to rotate shafts S1-2 discussed above. As mentioned in Table 2.1, the distance between seeds along a particular row must lie between 2 in/ 50.8 mm to 8 in/ 203.2 mm. We must, therefore design a drive-train to achieve this range. The following diagram presents a schematic view of the drive-train.

Figure 2.8 Drive-train

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Let be the ratio of lower sprocket diameter to upper sprocket diameter. Now, consider the case when =1. For every revolution of the wheel, the upper sprockets, and hence the disks D1-3 also cover one revolution. The effective distance at which a seed is dropped (dmin) is dmin = ()(26) = 81.64 in/ 2073.656 mm (assuming there is only one bucket on the disk) Since there are 8 buckets on the disk, dmin = 81.64/10 = 8.164 in/ 207.36 mm. Since this is beyond our desired range, we increase the number of revolutions made by the upper sprocket with every rotation of the wheel. To do this, we increase . Using commonly available bicycle sprockets, we could make = 1.8. Hence,

dmin = ()(26)/(8)( ) = 81.64 / (8)(1.8) = 4.53 in/ 115.06 mm

We have managed to achieve a range 4.5in/ 114.3mm to 8 in/203.2 mm. We could not lower the minimum value further due to unavailability of sprocket combinations with >1.8.

2.5 Machine capabilities and operating ranges. As such, most of the assemblies are easy to remove and replace. However, the end user can easily vary the following parameters without making any changes to the basic design of the system. To the extent possible, poka-yoke has been implemented. All the parameters mentioned below can be varied without any ambiguity on how to go about doing it. 1. Adaptation to ridge width The default location of wheels on the axle corresponds to a ridge width of 20 inches. While this is the minimum gap available, the wheels can be adjusted for a maximum ridge width of 28 inches. Ridge widths beyond this range are usually not observed. 2. Operable Ridge Height Since the tillers can easily move between the pipes T1-7, the machine can work successfully for ridge heights ranging from 6in/152.4mm to 9in/228.6mm. 3. Distance between seeds along a row. For the same type of seed, this variability could be obtained by plugging the required number of holes on the disks D (1-3).Currently, the minimum distance at which a seed can be dropped is 4.5 in /114.3 mm.

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4. Type of seed sown The disks D1-3 have been attached to the shafts S1-3 using bushings fastened with the help of hex keys. These disks, therefore, could be removed and replaced anytime, depending on the type of seed being sown. Doing the above is as easy as changing the refill of a ball point pen. 5. Distance between rows of seeds The distance between the rows of seeds can be altered with the help of the guide pipes P1-7 as shown in section 2.2. Based on our discussions with the farmers we interviewed (refer to page 12), the required range of inter-row distance is 6in/152.4mm to 8in/203.3mm. The achieved range is 5in/127mm to 9in/228.6 mm. In fact, the width of the top surface of a ridge seldom exceeds 18 inches. The recommended way of using the guide pipes is to guide the discharge from the container C2 to P4, and choose one of the following combinations: P1-P7, P2-P6, P3-P5. It is important to maintain symmetry in the location of the rows. Although a minimum distance of 2 inches can be achieved between the rows, it is not recommended to do so, as slight inaccuracies in dropping may cause significant damage to the yield, as the seeds start competing against each other.

Table 2.2 Requirements and Gap Analysis Required Value S Parameter MinValue Max Value No. (in/mm) (in/mm) 1 Ridge Width 18/457.2 30/762 2 Operable 6/152.4 9/228.6 Ridge Height 3 Inter-row 6/152.4 8/203.2 distance 4 Distance 2/50.4 8/203.2 between seeds along a row*

Actual Value MinValue Max Value (in/mm) (in/mm) 20 28 6/152.4 9/228.6 5/127 5/127 9/228.6 45/1143

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Chapter 3
Scope for further improvement

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3.1 Cost of Materials The cost of materials involved is as follows. Table 3.1 Cost of Materials used S Item No. 1 Frame material: Mild Steel pipes 2 Buckets: Mild Steel sheets, 0.75mm thickness 3 Axle: Mild steel Rod, diameter 20mm 4 Wheel: Bicycle wheels, diameter 26 inches 5 Chains 6 Plummer Blocks Grand Total

Rate INR 48-52/kg INR 48-52/kg INR 48-52 /kg INR 180 INR 50 INR 200-250

Qty. ~6 kg ~1.5 kg ~2.5 kg 2 2 4

Total (INR) 280-300 72-78 120-130 360 100 800-1000 1732-2000

Cost

Note that the above table only shows the cost of materials involved, and does not include the costs involved in processing. If this machine is produced on an industrial scale, machinery, electricity, labour, land, etc. will add to the costs. Performing a detailed cost analysis is beyond the scope of this project.

3.2 Suggested Improvements 1. A user may require the effective dmin value to be much lesser than 4.5 in/ 114.3 mm. It may not be possible to increase the value of N indefinitely, as the distance between two consecutive buckets on the disks D1-3 should be at least 1.5 times the diameter of the seed for which it is used. Hence, greater reductions have to be achieved in the drive-train. Given the limited number of size options for bicycle sprockets, this is a tough ask. Either ne sprockets have to be developed exclusively for this device, or other types of drive systems (like pulley and belt) must be used. 2. Cheaper yet functionally sound alternatives to the plummer blocks may be found. The plummer blocks along with the bearings contribute nearly 50 percent of the cost of materials. 3. The location of the containers C1-3 may be so adjusted to ensure that the distance between the discharge points and the guide pipes is minimized.

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