| dc.description.abstract | This project presents the design and development of an automated sugarcane cutting system that
utilizes a combination of pneumatic actuation and microcontroller-based control to reduce manual
labor and increase efficiency in sugarcane harvesting. The system is powered by a 220V AC input,
which is stepped down to 24V DC using an SMPS, and further reduced to 5V DC using a buck
converter to safely power the NodeMCU microcontroller and relay circuit. A 10k potentiometer is
integrated into the system to manually adjust the switching speed of the relay, which controls a
24V DC solenoid valve. When activated, the solenoid valve regulates the air flow from an air
compressor into a pneumatic cylinder. The pressurized air alternately feeds the upper and lower
chambers of the cylinder, causing a continuous linear motion of the piston rod. This mechanical
motion is harnessed to perform precise and repetitive cutting operations on sugarcane stalks. The
system demonstrates how pneumatic mechanisms combined with low-cost microcontroller
technology can offer a reliable and scalable solution for automating labor- intensive agricultural
processes. By replacing manual cutting with a smart, sensorless control mechanism, this project
contributes to the advancement of precision agriculture and supports the goal of developing
sustainable, automated farming tools for improved productivity. | en_US |
