WPS has completed phase 2 in the daylight greenhouse of Ter Laak Orchids. Phase 2 focuses on the widening of the orchid, whereby the orchid is transferred to a larger Plant Growth Cell (PGC).
This is done in the following way: the orchids come out of the greenhouse fully automatically on a table. A smart WPS robotic arm places them in a carrier on a conveyor belt that transports the plants to two other robots. They transfer the plants to a larger PGC. The orchids are then guided past a camera. This camera assesses the size and direction of the leaf. It is important that all plants are placed on the growing table in the same way. A new robot then neatly places the orchids on a cultivation table again, which then disappears into the greenhouse for a few weeks, so that the orchids can continue to grow.
In this way, 2500 plants per hour can be processed.
Innovative logistics system
WPS takes care of the entire logistics system, including innovative potting and spacing lines, fully automatic sorting with 3D camera unit, stick stitching stations, a delivery buffer with trays and packing stations. Use is made of three-dimensional robot arms that place the orchids in so-called PGCs and transfer them to the cultivation tables.
Responding better to market demand
With its progressive automation, orchid grower Ter Laak wants to respond to the changing market demands. The flexibility in automation was also an important issue at Ter Laak Orchids.
The construction of the Daglichtkas can be followed live via www.orchidee.nl