COMPUTER CONTROLLED SEEDLING TRANSFER APPARATUS

摘要

A computer controlled seedling transfer apparatus (10) includes a pair of conveyors (13, 20) for supporting a seed flat (S) and pot flat (P). Associated indexing mechanisms (27, 47) translate the flats along the conveyor to align flat recesses with a transfer station (TS) between the flats. A seedling transfer mechanism (62) above the conveyors moves transversely between the flats, and includes extendable gripping fingers (75) for gripping, transferring and transplanting a seedling. A computer (100) controls the movement of the indexing mechanisms (27, 47) and seedling transfer mechanism (62) to optimize the seedling transfer operation based on the condition of the flat recesses sensed by a camera (92). In a further embodiment (110), a pair of seed flat bed (113) straddle a single pot flat bed (120). A pair of seedling transfer mechanisms (170) simultaneously or sequentially extracts and transplants seedlings from both seed flats into the single pot flat. A seedling ejector mechanism (155) is also provided to separately eject individual seedlings.