Automatic tray filler CombiFix

big volumes

Overview
The CombiFix is a fully automatic tray refilling machine that restores young-plant trays to 100% filled after germination. Designed as a compact single frame (3.8 x 2.2 meters), all handling and inspection processes take place within the same frame. Destacking units and discard rollers are available as options.

How it works
Trays are presented at a selection station and each plant is inspected by an in-house imaging/vision system based on optical appearance. Empty plugs and plants that are too small or out of quality tolerance are removed via a blow-out section. After inspection, trays are routed over two chain conveyors. The machine designates one tray as a donor tray that supplies plants; recipient trays receive plants until corrected to 100% filled with qualified plants.

Additional information
The plant gripper head travels between donor and destination trays using a direct magnetic drive, allowing very fast acceleration and high positioning accuracy while reducing maintenance. Using TTA-ISO's pusherpin system, fragile plants with incomplete root systems can be transferred with minimal damage to the root plug. Repairing trays optimizes the use of available space, improves uniformity of plant material and development, and streamlines the automatic transplanting process.

Technical specifications

• Operators: 1
• Plug diameter: 9 - 30 mm
• Capacity per hour: 12,000 - 20,000 plugs
• Machine footprint: 3.8 x 2.2 meters (single frame)
• Imaging/vision system for per-plant optical inspection
• Blow-out section for removal of empty or poor-quality plugs
• Direct magnetic drive for plant gripper head (fast acceleration, high positioning accuracy)
• TTA-ISO pusherpin system for handling fragile/incompletely rooted plants
• Options: destacking units, discard rollers