Alpha Prototype Fabrication of Manual Cum Automatic Seed Sowing Machine

Abstract

Automatic seed sowing machine are expensive and not affordable by small farmers in India. Traditional method of seed sowing practice causes muscular fatigue. It also leads to severe back ache. This paper focuses on the prototype development of manual cum automatic seed sowing machine at a minimum cost and to reduce the muscular fatigue associated with traditional method of seed sowing practice. The activities of this work include ideation, detail design, analysis and finally prototype development. In the ideation stage, solutions were sketched and finally best solution was selected using weighted matrix method. The detail design emphasis on the overall dimension and bill of materials for the proposed final model. The ergonomic analysis was performed in Catia V5 using Manikin and results indicated moderate risk. The cost estimation of the final product was presented. A minor variation of the developed prototype is recommended for commercialization.

Musculoskeletal Disorders Among The Seed Sower Workers - A Review

“…In a research of Rajesh and et. al it has been observed that risk based designs on making ergonomical prototype machine for seed sowing may reduce the density of risk from high to moderate and so as lower the tendency for postural hazards (Ramadass, 2021). In another study based upon gender dependent participation it was observed that more that 75% of women are mostly engaged with high risk postures of agriculture relating stooping, squatting, sitting and bending, sometimes erect bending for prolonged period of time leads to postural discomfort and hazards.…”