Da Ros Srl, an Italian manufacturer of agricultural machinery, has introduced a new robotic transplanter, the TP-24, designed to automate and optimize seedling transplanting processes in nursery and vertical farming environments. Central to the machine’s functionality are the integrated drive and control systems provided by FAULHABER, which enable high-speed, precise manipulation of seedlings.
The TP-24 transplanter utilizes a robotic gripper mechanism to extract seedlings from germination trays and place them into larger containers to continue growth. These operations are executed with minimal plant stress and high reliability, made possible by compact brushless motors from FAULHABER’s 2250…BX4 series. Each motor is paired with a planetary gearhead from the 22GPT series, delivering the necessary torque and speed for rapid, repetitive transplanting motions.
Up to 24 robotic grippers can be installed within the machine, with a spacing of only 22 mm between them. This configuration allows the system to operate at high throughput levels while maintaining precise plant handling. Control is managed through FAULHABER’s Motion Controller MC 5004 P, which communicates via the EtherCAT protocol, facilitating real-time performance monitoring and adjustment.
The transplanter’s modular design supports a range of agricultural applications and can be customized according to specific production requirements. According to Da Ros, the integration of FAULHABER’s robotic drive systems was instrumental in achieving the desired balance of speed, accuracy, and adaptability necessary for modern automated agriculture.
This development reflects a broader trend in agricultural robotics, where machines are increasingly tasked with replacing manual labor in repetitive and labor-intensive processes, addressing both productivity demands and workforce limitations.
