3D Printed Seed Drill Punch for Hard Soil

Project developed by --Jmbrooki (talk) 07:05, 2 December 2014 (PST)

• 
  Seed Reservoir
• 
  Drill Guide
• 
  Rope Assembly
• 
  Fully Assembled

Abstract

1. In the most basic form, a seed drill is a device that will position seeds in soil, without waste. This idea was an improvement over sowing seeds, where soil was tilled and seeds were thrown over the dirt. Before a mechanical device was invented, the solution was to individually plant seeds, by hand.^[1]
2. My proposed improvement is to create a seed reservoir, which will resemble a funnel, with the drill punch going through the center. This design will allow seed to be distributed into individual holes, regardless of soil compaction. While this design may not permit the fast movement of the powered-tiller designs,^[2] it will allow an individual the ability to seed a field regardless of soil composition.

Bill of Materials

1. Printed Parts
   1. One (1) Seed Reservoir
   2. One (1) Spring Support and Drill Guide
   3. One (1) Lid
2. PVC Pipe
3. Rope, Cord, Twine, etc.
4. Spring

Tools needed

1. MOST Delta RepRap or similar RepRap 3-D printer
2. PVC Pipe for Low-Cost Handle
3. Epoxy for Gluing Handle
4. Spring
5. Twine, Cord, Rope, etc.

SCAD Files and Thingiverse Link

• 
  Thingiverse Thing: 577664

Technical Specifications and Assembly Instructions

• Total Printing Time was around ~25 hours. However, this was with extremely slow printing speeds.
• Given a faster printer, this will easily be a one-day build project.

Cost savings

• 
  John Deere Commercial Seed Drill
• 
  Small Scale Seed Drill

• Commercial Equivalent: $39,000+
• Small Household Equivalent: $99.95^[3]
• OSAT Seed Drill: $13.50 - $18.50

1. Printed Parts: $10-15
2. PVC Pipe, 1.5in x 4ft: $2.50
3. Spring: $1

• Total Cost Savings from Commercial Equivalent, assuming you print 10 Seed Drills: $39,000 - $185.00 = $38,815

References