Turck Sensor Systems is the basis for agricultural applications

The next stage of development in agriculture is data-driven, requiring solid sensor skills in the field. Turck products can be operated with a driver-assisted system and then fully automated farming. In the steer-by-wire system, the QR20 encoder measures the steering angle of the axle or assists in opening the spray arm of the field sprayer. Ultrasonic sensors and inclinometers are optimally aligned with the boom, and together with the compact TM18 light grid, the material flow of the combine harvester's grain elevator is monitored.

Unlike other business environments, the agricultural sector is influenced by changing external factors. This is well demonstrated by the extreme climate experienced in Europe last summer, which included prolonged droughts and short periods of heavy rainfall. Many farmers have suffered huge losses in their harvests as a result.

　　 Turck Sensor Systems is the basis for agricultural applications

Turck Sensor Systems is the basis for agricultural applications

In order to meet the 2050 global food security target, agribusiness is under severe pressure to optimize production. Broadly speaking, in order to compensate for the projected growth of the global population of 9 billion by then, and to keep pace with the need for conservation, agriculture must be completed at a time when the area of arable land is decreasing in many regions, and the output value is increasing year by year.

This is where modern digital skills can make a big difference. Today's measuring instruments collect data on soil conditions, making it easy for farmers to complete assessments. This, in turn, enables the operation of agricultural machinery to become more efficient and autonomous. Representatives of the agriculture sector have now commented on the potential in this area and commented on the possibility of farming, smart agriculture or precision agriculture. In many discussions, the digitalization of this sector of the economy has been described as perhaps the key to achieving high crop yields in an environmentally friendly way. Still, the struggle for more precision and less lost agricultural production goes back as long as agriculture itself. However, in the context of Industry 4.0, agriculture is in a stage of development with many new possibilities.

Surface analysis of collaborative field cultivation

In high-tech farming, farmers are increasingly acting as planning supervisors, rather than constantly being in charge of all the manipulation of machinery. Typically, the process begins with soil profiling based on the idea of creating homogeneous zones in heterogeneous farmland. One area can be irrigated more economically because it has more groundwater resources, while others may need more fertilizer. This optimized approach to soil and crop cultivation is the result of precise soil modification, which can then be zoned according to similar needs, and gradually obtain maps with different information that farmers can use to grow soils according to the needs of specific zones.

There are a number of small ancillary components used in this process. Modern tractors and harvesters are now equipped with intelligent handling assistance systems, which can sometimes perform certain operations automatically. Using the GPS location and orientation data of the mobile phone, the machine can follow the set path precisely and then avoid the reuse of pesticides or fertilizers. Another big benefit is the reduction in fuel consumption. As part of a driving operation that may now be automated, compact and robust sensors are already used in a wide range of applications, such as low-wear steering, field sprayer alignment, and material flow monitoring.

High performance with sensors

The steer-by-wire skill is seen as a mature guidance skill for the future autonomous driving system, and can be controlled in the same way with a joystick. Directional commands are no longer given mechanically, but are transmitted to the actuator electrically. Turck's touchless encoders measure the steering angle of the axles in this system and together withstand humidity (IP68/69k) and shocks. If necessary, they can even be completely installed in the axle.

Inductive encoders are completely touch-free and therefore wear-free, which is a very important advantage for the generally short time window and the risk of machinery failure in agriculture. The QR20 encoder can also be used reliably to measure the viewpoint of field sprayers. The sensor measures the projection angle and then keeps the spray arm in the correct position. This once again proves the current trend of using measuring sensors instead of limit switches for continuous azimuth measurement.

The distance between the boom and the crop determines the height of the boom. Ultrasonic sensors can be used to supply this spacing information, making it possible to use Turck's compact PTFE-coated ultrasonic transducers. The detection range of these sensors varies from 30 cm to 3 m. The integrated temperature compensation function keeps the measurement data constant over the entire range from -40 to +70 degrees Celsius, ensuring that the user can accurately align the spray arm. Depending on the application, the parameters can also be set individually via the teach-in button or teach-in cable.

Reliable inclination measurement

Whether a farmer is spraying pesticides or liquid manure with a field sprayer or operating a combine, the inclination of a vehicle is an important information point in most agricultural machinery. If, for example, the threshing plant is always required to work horizontally on uneven ground, Turck's solid inclination sensors detect and transmit lateral deviations as well as deviations in the direction of movement. Thanks to the individually adjustable filter, vibrations and unforeseen shocks during operation do not affect the measurement values.

Once the threshing equipment separates the wheat from the husk, the elevator transports the harvested grains into the grain tanks. This material flow can be monitored by photoelectric sensors. With IP67 and IP69k protection, the TM18 photoelectric sensor can be used in space-constrained directions and quickly aligned with the receiver. Unlike other sensors, the TM18 is screwed into a grain elevator with a threaded lens, which then eliminates the need for planners to plan complex and error-prone accessories with deflection mirrors. The data on the number of detected grains is used to confirm the operation of the grain elevator. Seeds from seeders can be detected in a similar way, using non-touch capacitive sensors to provide level information.

Precision brings both financial and environmental benefits

The application demonstrates the important pioneering effect of smart sensors in the field of agriculture. They enable farmers to use fertilizers and pesticides more efficiently, which in turn helps to conserve resources and work together to protect the soil. The portfolio is a central driver for investments in digitalization and automation in agriculture. Through more precise field cultivation, we hope to achieve more tangible ecological benefits, such as avoiding direct pollution of river water, reducing the use of chemicals in the soil, and saving fuel consumption.

On the other hand, for farms, these solutions can lead to higher profits. In the future, self-propelled machines in particular will open up new solutions, including just-in-time operation in climate-outstanding conditions. Previously, farmers did not need to manually operate the marching operation, but still had to complete the steering operation manually. However, now with the help of viewpoint sensors, this type of movement can also be done with precision.

Increasingly, Turck products are able to provide greater support for automated control systems for measuring and transmitting parameters. Thanks to solid planning, they are even suitable for harsh environments where corrosive liquids, pole temperatures or rough surfaces may affect the skill components.

Custom plug connectors for dispensing cables

In order to spray the correct amount of crop pesticides, CAN valves are often used to condition the spray volume of field sprayers. Turck's pre-assembled Y-cables, for example, enable the individual and problem-free connection of these valves. Thoroughly molded CAN distribution cables are resistant to corrosive spray media. Cable jackets, clamping equipment and injection molding encapsulation are made entirely of used thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Superseal connectors ensure a secure connection, even in the presence of severe vibrations. If the cable is still damaged, simply replace the damaged distributor and save time and money.

Turck Sensor Systems is the basis for agricultural applications

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