• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.7-14
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to develop a chain conveyor-type, row-spacing system for a plant factory. The developed system was evaluated for its practical use in growing plants. Results are intended to provide technical suggestions on the row spacing for hydroponically grown vegetables in a plant factory. The designed row-spacing system for a plant factory could be adjusted by four stages with a conveying speed range of $5.3\~15.8cm{\cdot}s^{-1}$ and with a row-space range of 10-25cm. The torque of driving shaft was measured with a torque range of 11.7-33.3 N$\cdot$m according as a trough weight changes with a range of $17\~935$ N. A measured value was $5.9\~9.8\;N{\cdot}m$ lower than a theoretical value. Travel reduction rate was shown up $1.6\~1.9\%$. The conveying time of trough was shown up 2.24 seconds in case that the designed value was 2.26 seconds. The system was evaluated to be functioning effectively according to the initial design factors in the test.