Overview

Terrafarmers LDA, a Portuguese startup working in the field of Ecosystem Regeneration and Reforestation using Drones, approached T-Works to design and develop a Seedball Dispensing Drone Payload.

Task	Status
Project Name	JungleMaker 2.0 - Seedball Dispensing Payload
Client Name	Terrafarmers LDA
Category	Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Project Status	Completed
Product Image

The JungleMaker 2.0 Payload is currently undergoing Design Registration and hence the image is blurred intentionally.

Capabilities used at T-works

Machines Used	Product Made	T-Works Facility
Markforged	Structural Clamp Mounts	Coming soon...
NARGESA Pipe Bending Machine	Payload Frame	Metal Shop
Kempii Tig Welding	Payload Frame	Metal Shop
Axiom CNC	Post-processing Carbon Fiber Tubes - Cutting and Slots	Wood Shop
Multicam CNC Router	Post-Processing Carbon Fiber Plates - Cutting and Slots	Wood Shop
Bambu Lab Printer - 3D Printing	Quick Release Clamps	3D Printing Shop
Haas 5 axis CNC	Quick Release Clamps	Metal Shop
ZUND Digital Cutter G3 L-2500	Packaging	Advanced Rapid Prototyping

About the Project

• The JungleMaker is a Drone payload that can carry and dispense upto 320 seedballs over deforested land.

• The quick release mount design allows attachment to different UAV Airframes.

• The drone and payload can be configured to drop 1-4 seedballs at a time at an interval of minimum 1.5m and above autonomously using a pre-planned waypoint mission.

• The reconfigurable design allows for modification to accommodate various seedballs ranging from 15 mm to 60 mm spherical diameter.

Objectives

To make a Seed-ball Dispenser with the following technical Specifications:

1. Boundary Dimensions: 500mm x 500mm x 500mm

2. Weight: <5 kg

3. Capacity: 8.5 kg of seed-balls

4. Rated voltage: 7.5-60V DC

Methodology Used

The payload and custom parts for the drone were made with different techniques and technologies listed below.

1. MJF 3D Printing - Battery covers, Mechanism frame, Electronics weatherproof enclosure

1. Markforged 3D Printing - Structural Clamp mounts

1. CNC routing - CF plate.

1. 3D printed on Bambu lab printer - PET-CF, PLA-CF, PA12-CF, TPU85 filament.

1. 5 axis CNC milled/machined - Aluminium quick release clamps.

1. CNC routed custom slots on CF tubes

1. CNC Machining - Magnesium alloy parts.

2. Custom Foam packaging - Routing and Cutting on ZUND digital cutter

1. Bending and Welding Aluminium tube frame

Impact or Significance

• In 2017 alone a total of 44,969 hectares (111,120 acres) of land was burnt due to wild fires.

• This included the historic Pine Forest of Leiria of which 86% was burnt.

• Reforestation is slow, time-taking and difficult.

• By using modern techniques and innovations such as drones, the rate of reforestation and its success rate can be significantly improved.

• The JungleMaker project is one such example.