In the nor'-east of the Netherlands , machines are produce to create forward-looking plugs like Growcoon and Nygaia . This expertise is valuable as Maan Group compound its focus on horticultural mechanisation , leading to the establishment of Maan Horti Automation this yr . Edwin Kruiper , the director of this Dutch gardening - focused company , provides an update on the latest developments in advance of GreenTech Amsterdam . Two new machines have been developed to further automate the function of Growcoon , and progress in the plugs themselves are also on-going .
Neatly lace up plugsMaan Horti Automation plan to showcase the late Growcoon Dispenser at the trade show . The machine will be march live for the first time at a apportion John Wilkes Booth with their partner and substratum provider , Klasmann - Deilmann .
The Modern Growcoon Dispenser Advanced Series lie of two car design to place plugs in tray with greater capacity and efficiency than ever before . Edwin explicate : " The capacity we now tender is really groundbreaking . We ’ve increase our swiftness , travel by what ’s currently available on the market . This melioration is indispensable , as growers require high-pitched capacity to further automatize and optimize their operation . "
The latest fully machinelike variant can process over 55,000 Growcoons per minute , depending on the tray type , conformation , and specific conditions at the cultivator ’s site . A Dutch grower and a North American grower have already tested the young machine .
During our sojourn in May , the machine was not yet in GreenTech - shape , allowing us a glimpse of its interior workings . The setup mistily resembles a fairground drive , but or else of people birl around , Growcoons are swiftly and neatly placed into tray yap . The machine sport mechanically controlled grippers that firmly hold each Growcoon before placing them precisely into the tray compartment . This cognitive operation bechance at an telling rate of tens of thousands per hr .
Growcoons are available in various sizes . The correct height - width proportion ensures that a plug always land erect . By using grippers in the Growcoon Dispenser Advanced Series to send the plug in the tray , this now happens even more accurately , even with less vulgar size of Growcoons .
At Maan Horti Automation the decision was made to evolve modular machine , grant raiser to progressively automate their operations . For example , they can transition from a manual dispenser to a more advanced automated adaptation . Edwin excuse that by using standardized circle of grippers , growers can surmount up without needing additional investment funds in new grippers .
Biodegradable plugThe Growcoon is a various plug featuring an candid net structure that promotes optimal root growing and fits well in trays . It is entirely PFAS - innocent and is designed to break down after its functional period , decay into carbon and body of water ( degree Celsius and H₂O ) . This decomposition process is TÜV - certified .
How quickly the Growcoon breaks down depend on its composition . presently , there are two recipe available , with two more set to be precede this summertime , according to Martine Huisman , Marketing Communication Specialist . " These additions offer options for a Growcoon that decomposes faster or , if desired , more slowly . There ’s also a recipe in exploitation for an even obtuse partitioning . This chain of partitioning velocity secure that growers can choose a Growcoon that moulder according to their specific motivation . "
With these developments , Maan is gear up for succeeding demand , Martine emphasizes . " Sustainability is becoming progressively of the essence , and labor presents grow challenges . " For both the Growcoon and Nygaia — the plug and mechanization concept introduced at GreenTech last yr — growers often pick out the plug usable from Klasmann - Deilmann , Edwin total . " subsequently , they typically research way to optimise and automate the use of that spark plug . "
Maan Horti Automation sees substantial opportunities for further automation in horticulture . Edwin envisions a future where tray filled with Growcoons come forth from machine completely loaded without an wheeler dealer ’s intervention . presently , an operator is still necessary , but with the new machines , Maan Horti Automation is set up to meet the grow demand from an increasing number of growers . They aim for the highest standards : maximal content , high execution , optimal dominance , and greater easiness of utilization . Edwin states : " We ’ve made a substantial leaping forwards in speed and efficiency . "
For more information : Maan Horti Automation[email protected]www.growcoon.com
