06/03/2023 | PRODUCTS
Our integrated solutions at the service of sustainable agriculture
The EIMA award dedicated to agriculture 4.0
EIMA International, the world exhibition of agricultural machinery, is also the promoter of the Technical Innovation Competition. A prestigious award dedicated to the best technical innovations in the sector and to models that present new solutions, with high technological content in view of agriculture 4.0.
Among this year's winners is the MArcEL project to which we have contributed with our solutions designed and customized for the movement necessary for agricultural levelers. The project, with a budget of about 7 million euros, sees, in addition to Lafert, 16 partners involved including leading companies in the production of motors, agricultural machinery, electronic engineering companies, and computer engineering, research centers and universities. An ambitious project in which two important scientific referents participate: University of Torino with the Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Sciences (technical and scientific coordinator of the project) and the Department of Agroinnova and Politecnico of Torin with the Department of Electronics and Telecommunications.
Our innovation, a package of the Smartris range adapted to the application, also had the honor of being exhibited during the EIMA fair, 9-13 November - Bologna.
A cutting-edge project in the field of agricultural sustainability
The MArcEL project stems from the desire to support sustainable agriculture through the development of electrically driven machines and equipment equipped with the most advanced systems for precision agriculture.
Specifically, the machine of the MarcEL project equipped with our package is the new agricultural leveler made by Fontana Srl. The company based in Vercelli has taken charge of replacing the classic hydraulically controlled pistons by integrating the blade control through linear actuators recirculating balls moved by our gearmotors.
The deisgned leveler is extremely precise, thanks to the innovative use of precise servomotors feedback, but also able to significantly reduce consumption by increasing the total efficiency of the machine thanks to the use of permanent magnet motors. The system is equipped with all the elements necessary for complete integration into a precision farming context.
Lafert's integrated solution
Thanks to our experience in customization we have contributed to the realization of the agricultural machine by developing technologically advanced solutions for the electrification of vehicle equipment systems.
Specifically, starting from our Smartris packages for automated guided systems, we made the necessary adjustments and designed the electrical solution dedicated to the movements of the blade: vertical displacement and lateral inclination, eliminating hydraulic movement management. We have also helped to support the development of the necessary technologies for the control of electric motors and actuators.
For the movement of the blade we have developed a system equipped with brushless servo motor and gearbox in a single package that maximizes integration and performance in a compact and robust design. We also wanted to equip the vehicle with the great robustness of Cyclo gearboxes in synergy with Sumitomo Drive Technologies: ultra-resistant to vibrations and mechanical stress, typical in agriculture and with maximum load capacity.
"From a strategic point of view, the project aims to bring into the Italian productive sector, of which agricultural machinery manufacturers constitute an important percentage, the technologies and know-how necessary for the development of electrically driven machines and equipment with the most advanced systems for increasingly sustainable and precise agriculture." - Marco Cappelletto, R&D Engineer.