In the world of orchid cultivation everything revolves around: precision, quality, and efficiency. Opti-flor, a leading orchid grower from Monster, is taking a significant step into the future with WPS Horti Systems. For their new location on Waellandweg, WPS engineered and installed a fully automated Plant Order System that optimizes every detail of plant logistics, from staking to packing.
The new system ensures that every step of the processing flow is seamlessly integrated. From staking to the moment the plant is packed and ready for delivery, everything is automated, efficient, and designed with optimized plant spacing to prevent damage.
Every aspect of the system has been carefully thought through for the right balance. The intake and output, the number of necessary staking stations, buffer gutters, and packing stations are precisely aligned to ensure a smooth-running system, capable of meeting required capacity even during peak periods.
The system uses data exchange and order management via SDF software, ensuring that Opti-flor always has insight into the available quantities per plant classification. Thanks to the Aris Vision System, plants are assessed for ripeness, height, and branch count after staking. The data is then linked to the RFID tag in the plant carrier. Afterward, the plants are automatically sorted and buffered.
To prevent plant damage, a special 6-cell tray was developed. This tray is stable and designed to move smoothly along the conveyor belts. Additionally, the tray is equipped with RFID identification, allowing the grower to always know which classification is in the tray.
After the flowering phase, the trays are automatically recognized and directed to the correct buffer gutter. This is not just any buffer: it consists of 263 gutters with a total capacity of 30,000 plants. From here, trays are automatically sent to the packing stations as orders come in. This eliminates the need for manual searching or sorting, a major step toward handsfree plant production.
To make the process even more efficient, a “empty tray route” was added. Empty trays are returned from the packing stations via a dedicated route to the tray stacker, which then reintroduces them to the in-tray station. This addition creates a closed-loop system, further enhancing efficiency.
The new Plant Order System at Opti-flor is truly impressive. When you step into the greenhouse and witness it in action, it feels almost surreal to see plants automatically moving around you in plant carriers or trays. So, it may come as no surprise that every conveyor belt and component in this system is the result of a carefully considered decision. After an intensive two-year planning phase, which included weekly construction meetings, technical engineering, and installation, the system at Waellandweg is now operational. We are proud of the result and wish Opti-flor much success and enjoyment at their new location!