challenges faced by seed manufacturers

1 www.data-technologies.com Data Detection Technologies Ltd. 2012

Seed Counting Technology Challenges for Seed Manufacturers

Introduction

As seeds become more and more expensive, the

need to have seeds counted by the actual number

and not by an estimated weight value becomes

more and more critical.

For seed manufacturers, such a change

can save hundreds of thousands of dollars

every year without requiring any change in its

production process.

For plant nurseries, on the other side of

this equation, previously there was no way for

them to check whether the quantity of seeds

they purchased accurately matched the

amount of seeds delivered.

DATA Technologies’ counting machines are

based on an existing, advanced technology

that has now been adapted to meet new

standards in the seeds industry enabling both

seed manufacturers and plant nurseries to

conduct their transactions using exact

numbers rather than estimates.


Challenges Faced by Seed

Manufacturers

In the normal flow, seed manufacturers

package and sell tens, perhaps even hundreds of

millions of seeds during each season.

These packages, in varying quantities, are

sold to nurseries, gardening stores, landscapers,

gardeners, perhaps even packaged for sale to

home owners. Amazingly enough, the seed

industry largely remains one that conducts

transactions by relying on estimated weights

rather than exact numbers.

Still, many seed purchases are made based

on the number of seeds, rather than weight.

The result of this inconsistency in measurable

scales, typically results in a loss factor for the

seed manufacturer. To offset the possibility of

not supplying at least the numerical amount

ordered, some seed manufacturers add

an additional percentage for no additional

charge.

For large orders, the additional

“give away” amount can represent a loss factor of

2-3%, which translates to hundreds of thousands

of dollars of inventory simply given away to

customers because seed manufacturers lack the

technology to accurately count their own stock.

For smaller orders, where the quantities

of seeds are smaller, the same overage may

even account for a tolerance factor of up to

30%. In either case, for small orders or large

ones, this is not a small loss factor.

Finally, because seed manufacturers provide

extra seeds without charging because they

are not counting the seeds, but rather

approximating the count based on weight and

then adding in a buffer to ensure the minimum

order, the damage done to their profit margin is

two-fold.

First, they are giving away a product

With value against no income.

Second, if customers are reselling or

planting the seeds based on an actual number

that they can reliably verify, they can take full

advantage of the seed manufacturer’s overage

and purchase less seeds in future orders.

Thus the seed manufacturer is giving away

free seeds in the first purchase and selling

less seeds in the second and future purchases.

Up until now, this has been a known factor

resulting from a lack of technology that could

successfully perform an accurate counting of

vast quantities of seeds.


Industry Requirements

Seed manufacturers are tasked with processing

hundreds of millions of seeds each season. Any

solution that would involve verifying the exact

number of seeds received from seed

manufacturers would need to be:

Extremely accurate

Cost-effective

Fast and easy-to-integrate

Scalable to accurately count large and small

quantities of seeds and be adapt able to

small, medium, and large manufacturers

Easily integrated into current packaging

infrastructure to maximize return on

investment (ROI) and minimize integration

cost or delays

Until recently, a technology that could deliver

these requirements was unavailable for the

seed industry.

About the DATA Technologies

Solutions DATA Technologies has taken their existing

technology and adapted it for the seed industry.

Unable to accurately count large quantities of

seeds, current manufacturing principles include

packing extra quantities of seeds per package to

ensure that the buyer receives, at minimum, the

proper amounts. Employing DATA’s counting

solutions, seed manufacturers can accurately

package the correct numbers, offering enormous

cost-savings. DATA solutions quickly achieve

payback within a period of several months up to

two years (depending on the type of seeds and

quantities processed).

Using the DATA counting solutions, there is

immediate savings because companies can

actually sell according to number and not weight

and therefore can match their sales order with

their packaging. Customers are still content to

receive the number of seeds they purchased,

while manufacturers are able to benefit from

actually selling a much higher percentage of their

seed stock. The DATA counting solutions are

significantly more accurate, with no loss in speed.

It can pack thousands of seeds per minute with

an accuracy of 99.5-99.9%.

DATA Products for Seed

Manufacturers DATA products come in a variety of

configurations that primarily relate to the

requirements of the seed manufacturer. In

general, the following guidelines are used when

determining which product will best suit the

needs of the manufacturer:

DATA Count S-JR

DATA Count S-25

DATA Count S-60

DATA Count & Fill S-25


DATA Count & Pack S-160


The DATA Count S-660


DATA Products for Nurseries

DATA Count S-JR

The DATA Count S-JR quickly and accurately

counts seeds as small as 0.7 mm, eliminating the

imprecision of weighing solutions to save you

money.

Designed for companies of all sizes, DATA Count

S-JR offers an efficient means of ensuring control.

It is an essential tool for manufacturers, breeders

and nurseries in the seed industry.

The device employs proprietary patented

technology.

Features

Counts seeds of all shapes from 0.7 to 4 mm, at

speeds of up to 3,000 seeds per minute

Counts a pre-set number of seeds

Seeds can be poured directly into plastic bags or

a measuring cup

Bluetooth connectivity

Results can be transferred to PC software, Excel

spreadsheets or proprietary software

Compatible with Seiko label printer

Benefits Delivers nearly 100% accuracy

Saves time and money

Controls stock through precise rather than

estimated counts Can quickly

Can Quickly separate a large bag of seeds into

smaller ones

Can be used to analyze thousand seeds weight

Enables reassignment of labor to more

complicated tasks

Simple to operate, with a user-friendly interface

Low maintenance and easy to clean

Small enough to use on any desk or worktop

Technical Description Voltage: 100 / 240 VAC, 1 phase Frequency: 50/60 Hz Power consumption: 22 W Circuit breaker rate: Minimum 10 A slow blow Dimensions: 21×21×20 cm Weight: 5 KG

Average counting speed capabilities (in seconds)

Quantity

Seed type

50 Seeds

100 Seeds

1,000 Seeds

Carrot 5 7 45

Cherry 5 7 45

Tomato 5 7 45

Lettuce 7 12 50

Pepper 6 10 55


DATA Count S-25

DATA’s S-25 quickly and accurately counts seeds

as small as 1 mm up to 18 mm, eliminating the

imprecision of weighing solutions to save you

money.

The machine is designed to count large quantities

of seeds and is ideally suited to seed

manufacturers, traders and plant nurseries, all of

which need to count seeds of different sizes as

fast and as accurately as possible as part of their

daily production processes.

The S-25 is easy-to-use, easy-to-integrate into

automatic filling machines, and delivers an

unprecedented accuracy rate of nearly 100%!

Features Precise counting of all seed shapes, from 1 to 18

mm in size

Rapid counting capability. For example: 4,000

tomato seeds per minute

Can be incorporated in an automatic filling

machine


Air system protection on the detection unit

Operation by Touch panel PC

Fast emptying

No pre-calibration required



Significantly more profitable than scale-reliant

packaging

Controls stock through precise rather than estimated counts

Can be used to analyze thousand seeds weight Simple to operate, with a user-friendly interface


Technical Description Voltage: 115 / 230 VAC, 1 phase

Frequency: 50/60 Hz

Power consumption: 100 W

Circuit breaker rate: Minimum 10 A slow blow

Air connector: 6 mm, Air consumption:~ 1 L/min

Compressed air: 0.1 Bar (continuously during

operation)

Dimensions (cm): (W) 55 x (D) 45 x (H) 65

Hopper size: 1,000cc, 1 Liter

Weight: ± 25 Kg

Average counting speed capabilities

(in seconds)

Quantity

Seed type

50

Seeds

100

Seeds

1,000

Seeds 5,000 Seeds

Cherry 4 8 20 90

Tomato 5 12 20 95

Pepper 7 15 30 120


DATA Count S-60

DATA’s S-60 was primarily developed for seed

manufacturers that need to quickly and

accurately count seeds as small as 1 mm up to 25

mm, in huge quantities. Using patented,

proprietary technology, the S-60 eliminates the

imprecision of current weighing solutions,

resulting in a faster, more cost-effective solution

and almost instant savings.

The machine was designed to count large

quantities of seeds and is ideal for all size seed

manufacturers, which regularly need to count

seeds of different sizes as part of their daily

production process. With the S-60, seed

manufacturers can count thousands of seeds in

seconds.


mm in size

Rapidly counts large quantities in minimal time.

For example: 10,000 tomato seeds per minute

Can be incorporated in an automatic filling

machine



Fast emptying





packaging


Simple to operate, with a user-friendly interface Low maintenance and easy to clean


Frequency: 50/60 Hz



Air connector: 6 mm, Air consumption:~ 1 L/min


operation)


Hopper size: 6,000cc , 6 Liter

Weight: ± 52 Kg


(in seconds)

Quantity

Seed type

1,000

Seeds

10,000

Seeds

Cherry Tomato 7 40

Tomato 10 60

Pepper 12 100

Melon/cucumber 20 155

Watermelon 25 230



The DATA Count & Fill S-25 quickly and accurately

counts seeds as small as 1 mm, automatically

filling separate bags with the desired quantities.

This highly reliable tool was developed for seed

manufacturers and suppliers that require

counting and packing precise numbers of seeds as

part of their daily production process.

The DATA Count & Fill S-25 is equipped with one

carousel, continuously rotating until the order is

complete.

The device features proprietary patented

technology.


mm in size

Rapidly counts vast quantities of seeds. For

example: at least 3 bags of 1,000 tomato seeds

per minute

30 funnels per carousel




Fast emptying


Benefits

Delivers nearly 100% accuracy



packaging

Enables reassignment of labor to more complicated tasks



Frequency: 50/60 Hz



Air connector: 6 mm,Air consumption: ~ 1 L/min


operation)

Dimensions (cm): (W) 50 x (L) 67 x (H) 160

Hopper size: 1,000cc, 1 Liter

Weight: ± 60 Kg

Packet size (mm): Minimum (W) 85 x (H) 100

Maximum (W) 170 x (H) 260


(Bags per minute) Quantity

Seed type

50

Seeds

100

Seeds

1,000

Seeds 5,000 Seeds

Cherry Tomato 15 8 3 0.66

Tomato 12 5 3 0.6

Pepper 9 4 2 0.5



The DATA Count & Fill S-60 quickly and accurately

counts large quantities of seeds, automatically

filling individual bags with the desired quantities.

By filling each bag with a fixed number of seeds,

you eliminate the imprecision of current weighing

solutions.

This counting solution was designed for seed

manufactures of all sizes.

If counting and packaging seeds of different sizes

is part of your daily production process, the DATA

Count & Fill S-60 is an affordable, efficient,

accurate and fast solution.

The DATA Count & Fill S-60 contains one carousel

which continuously rotates until it has completed

the order and all specified seeds are counted and

packaged.

With DATA's Count and Fill S-60, your everyday

packing procedures will be easier, quicker and

more precise.

The device employs proprietary patented

technology.

Features

Precise counting of all seed shapes, from 1 to 25

mm in size


example: at least 6 bags of 1,000 tomato seeds

per minute

Includes 30 funnels per carousel




Fast emptying





packaging

Enables reassignment of labor to more complicated tasks



Technical Description

Voltage: 115 / 230 VAC, 1 phase

Frequency: 50/60 Hz



Air connector: 6 mm, Air consumption: ~ 1 L/min


operation)


Hopper size: 6,000cc , 6 Liter

Weight: ± 100 Kg

Packet size (mm): Minimum: (W) 95 x (H) 140

Maximum: (W) 200 x (H) 300



Seed type

50

Seeds

100

Seeds

1,000

Seeds 5,000 Seeds

Cherry Tomato,

tomato, pepper 15 10 6 3



DATA’s first fully automatic counting machine

designed to quickly and accurately count & pack

seeds as small as 1 and up to 25 mm (depending

on seed quantity per bag). Developed and built

together with Pack Line (machine model PDP-1),

one of Israel’s leading packaging companies, the

machine not only counts thousands of seeds in

seconds but also fills bags and seals them.

The DATA Count & Pack S 160 can pack up to 6

bags per minute with the desired quantity of

seeds via one or more detection units, according

to the customer’s needs.

The machine is very compact in size and thus

saves valuable production space while providing

superior counting and packaging performance.

Features


mm in size (depending on seed quantity per

pack).

Rapidly counts & packs large quantities of seeds.

For example: 6 bags of 1,000 tomato seeds per

minute



Includes rejection system

Fast emptying






packaging



Can be adjusted to different bag sizes


Voltage: 220x3, 40Ax3 VAC, 3 phase

Frequency: 50/60 Hz



Air consumption L/min: ~ 90

Compressed air: 6-8 Bar

(continuously during operation)

Control panel voltage: 24 DC

Output Pcs per minute vibrator 1: 12


Air quick connector: MH94, screw ½ NPT


Weight: ±350 kg Hopper size: 6,000cc , 6 Liter Packet size: (mm): Minimum: 80 (W) x 100 (H)

Maximum: 185 (W) x 240 (H)



Seed type

1,000

Seeds

Cherry Tomato 6

Tomato 6

Pepper 6

Melon/cucumber 3

Watermelon 4



The DATA Count & Pack S-260 is a fully automatic,

two-channel counting machine, designed for

accurate and fast counting and packaging

procedures. This hi-tech machine offers seed

manufactures the option of fully automating their

packing process, while maintaining an accuracy

count of nearly 100%.

Data's Count & Pack S-260 machine is able to

count seeds ranging in sizes as small as 1 mm up

to 25 mm (depending on seed quantity per pack).

It can deliver counting and packing capacities up

to 12 bags of 1000 Tomato seeds per minute and

is ideal for large packet order series.

The DATA Count & Pack S-260 contains both a

counting unit and a packaging system, all

combined in one revolutionary solution which

delivers an unprecedented accuracy and speed.


mm in size (depending on seed quantity per

pack).

Rapidly counts & packs large quantities of seeds.

For example: 12 bags of 1,000 tomato seeds per

minute



Includes rejection system

Fast emptying



Benefits




packaging




Can be adjusted to different bag sizes


Voltage: 220x3, 40Ax3 VAC, 3 phase

Frequency: 50/60 Hz



Air consumption L/min: ~ 90

Compressed air: 6-8 Bar

(continuously during operation)

Control panel voltage: 24 DC



Air quick connector: MH94, screw ½ NPT

Dimensions (cm): (W) 82 x (D) 71 x (H) 187 Weight: ±370 kg Hopper size: 12,000cc , 12 Liter Packet size: (mm): Minimum 80 (W) x 100 (H)

Maximum 185 (W) x 240 (H)



Seed type

1,000

Seeds

Cherry Tomato 12

Tomato 12

Pepper 12

Melon/cucumber 6

Watermelon 8


DATA Count S-660

DATA’s S 660 is a sophisticated device designed to

quickly and accurately count seeds as small as 1

mm up to 25 mm. While it can count tens of

thousands of seeds per minute, it is able to

deliver extremely high accuracy, eliminating the

imprecision of most current weighing solutions to

save you money.

The S 660 is designed to count massive quantities

of seeds and thus ideally suited to key players in

the seed industry who need to pack hundreds of

millions of seed packages every season.

Due to its unprecedented counting speed, the S

660 enables its users to pack seeds by pre-set

numbers without losing valuable production time.

The S 660 machine is based on proprietary,

patented technology that delivers unprecedented

counting speeds and phenomenal accuracy.

Features


mm in size


example: 30 bags of 1,000 tomato seed per

minute



Includes built-in dust vacuum

Consists of two containers

Includes Rejection system

Fast emptying



Benefits




packaging




Electricity connection: 115-230v 50/60hz 150W 1

phase

Air pressure: 6 bar to main Air Press Regulator &

0.1 bar to 6 Heads APR

Packing system requirements:

Input port requirements: 24VDC

Output port requirements: 3VDC


About DATA

DATA Detection Technologies develops, manufactures, and markets hi-tech counting and packaging systems. DATA’s innovative, real-time image processing technology provides unparalleled accuracy and speed. Thus far, DATA’s proprietary technology has been applied to the diamond, seed, and pharmaceutical industries DATA’s seed counting machines offer tremendous value to customers in many ways: • Savings from packaging accurate

numbers of seeds, fast and efficiently, and with reduced labor.

• Flexibility with high counting speed, including easy configuration and the ability to quickly change between many types of seeds.

• Reduced time from order to delivery, thus taking advantage of new business opportunities.

• Ability to store, retrieve, and export counting record data to improve inventory management and make the entire process more efficient.

DATA’s industrial counting machines are capable of packaging over 40 bags of 1,000 tomato seeds per minute thus offering, for the first time, a sustainable counting solution for large-scale industrial seed packaging. DATA’s core technology provides real-time image processing of multiple objects as they are free-falling together. It was developed by our multi-disciplinary R&D team, which includes experts in electro-optics, electronics, software and mechanical engineering. DATA’s counting and packaging machines are sold and distributed worldwide through a combination of our own salespeople and partnering distributors . Based in Jerusalem, DATA is a dynamic hi-tech company that sets new global standards in counting and packaging systems. Additional information can be found at www.data-technologies.com.

www.data-technologies.com

Data Detection Technologies

12 Hartom ST. (RAD Bldg.) Har Hotzvim

Jerusalem 97775, Israel

Tel: +972-73-2204444

Fax: +972-73-2204466

Contact us:

Tel: +972-73-2204422 / +972-73-2204488

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.data-technologies.com

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