Source: Taylor Jones, 785-532-0644, tjones@amisuccess.com
Website:http://www.amisuccess.com
News tip/hometown interest: Hutchinson
Photo available. Download at http://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/sept11/913SRESdrill.jpg
News release prepared by: Amanda Weishaar, 785-532-7044
Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2011
PLANTING THE SEEDS FOR SUCCESS: ADVANCED MANUFACTURING INSTITUTE HELPS DEVELOP NEW SEED RESEARCH DRILL TECHNOLOGY
MANHATTAN -- A Hutchinson company is helping seed researchers plant more seeds in less time and with greater accuracy thanks to help from Kansas State University's Advanced Manufacturing Institute.
Seed Research Equipment Solutions, also known as SRES, develops and manufactures seed research planters and drills for the seed research industry. The company got the K-State institute's assistance with developing a new precision drill with features to improve the accuracy of and consistency of planting in seed research plots and fields.
The result is the Ultra Narrow precision drill that lets seed researchers plant more seeds at a time, plant a wider variety of seeds, and do it faster and with greater accuracy. The drill's features include precise seed placement and singulation, automatic seed delivery and evacuation, 7 1/2-inch row unit spacing, and a user-friendly operator platform.
"The Ultra Narrow precision drill was designed by our staff who then worked closely with AMI to produce this multifunctional product," said Stacy Unruh, owner of Seed Research Equipment Solutions. "No other planter in the industry has the precision planting capabilities as the Ultra Narrow, and we appreciate the support AMI provided us on this project."
The company had previously teamed up with the Advanced Manufacturing Institute to develop a seed meter delivery system for its precision planter.
"We have worked with SRES on multiple projects and have developed a strong relationship by establishing ourselves as a knowledgeable and reliable engineering resource," said Taylor Jones, the institute's chief engineer. "We have the ability to design and build prototypes in-house, allowing us to streamline the development process. Our goal was to develop the precision drill cost effectively in nine months -- and we achieved that goal."
The prototype of the precision drill was successfully demonstrated at a field day event for seed researchers in July. It is currently being marketed to the seed research industry. For more information about Seed Research Equipment Solutions and the precision drill visit http://www.sresweb.com.
The Advanced Manufacturing Institute, a part of the K-State College of Engineering, is a Kansas Department of Commerce Center of Excellence and an Economic Development Administration University Center that provides engineering and business services. More information about the institute is available online at http://www.amisuccess.com.
