Expanding SRI Equipment Accessibility Worldwide

Supporting Farmers by Sharing SRI Equipment Designs through an

Open Source Design Library

Earth Links is an NGO with a history of using and promoting new technologies

in environmental projects

For example our early use of handheld GPS units for mapping in Nicaragua combined with producing two documentary films helped win a 1,000,000 acre land rights claim for the Rama People of Nicaragua.

“We bring people and resources together”

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Earth Links’ original goal was to provide equipment designs for Latin America but it has changed over time to increasing number of drawings of SRI equipment worldwide.

These designs will be computer files in an Open Source Library with free file downloads.

We now have a growing group of web, database and prototype designers that are working on a set of core drawings of common SRI equipment.

We need ideas and help!

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I want to acknowledge small farmers, blacksmiths and agricultural engineers who have been extremely successful and innovative designers of SRI equipment

Weeders, A Reference Compendium, WASSAN, Ravindra

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We are supporting farmers and those working to scale up SRI worldwide by creating this Open Source Library of existing and future SRI equipment designs.

A virtual resource of weeder blueprints

Bringing together the experiences of;

+Farmers+Free Computer Aided Design Software (CAD)+Crowding Sourcing +Professional Volunteers +Development Professionals+Government Agencies that have produced designs and…

Few clear drawings are available to farmers, NGOs, and extension agents who want to build SRI rice equipment or to companies interested in manufacturing SRI rice equipment. Our goal is to help change this.

From Weeders, A Reference Compendium

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What is in the Open Source Library ?

2D Drawing Cono Weeder, Earth Links Inc.

Computer Rendering - Earth Links Inc

Clear Visualizations of Equipment

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We begin with a Photo, Youtube video or Hand Drawing

Computer Aided Designs are drawn in SolidWorks (2D) We can share, standardize (or modify) components in multiple SRI research programs and SRI demonstration sites.

2D and 3D SketchUp - Earth Links Inc.

Opportunities for equipment development are increased— Computer Aided Design with visualizations — Open Source File Sharing-ideas exchanged — Crowd Sourcing of Designs

Earth Links Inc, Mandava Rendering in Sketchup

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2D Drawing of Punjab Marker 2007

SolidCad Marker Specification/Detail

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Sketchup Rendering Punjab Marker 2007

Farmers with few financial resources have managed to build effective equipment.

Photos SRI-RICE website

Designs that are modified and prove effective in evaluation programs can then be made available to the broadest number of farmers.

CAD Computer Renderings Designs developed from CEDAC Report 2009

1 Again, Starting with a photo or drawing 2 Then working in two dimensions “2D” with “SolidCad” 3 Then we can move to a second CAD Program; “SketchUp”

Finger, Cono, and Drum Weeders

SketchUp is a Free CAD Program

with intuitive viewing and measurement from any angle

SketchUp file Earth links Inc

Photos can make it very hard to see details

Bicol, Philipenes, Leto the Farmer Scientist

2D Drawings and Renderings can show very high levels of details

Computer Rendering Details - Earth links Inc

Photo SRI-RICE Website

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Star Weeder Rendering

Drum/Peg Rendering Details

CAD designs will help meet the needs of SRI farmers requiring higher degrees of mechanization.

Design for Earth University, Costa Rica

Adding Power will be critical in scaling up SRI

Photo from SRI-RICE Website, Mr. Ariyatne Subasinghe, from Hingurakgoda, Sri Lanka

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Conceptual CAD Drawing of 25 CC Vertical Shaft - Motorized Two Row Weeder with interchangeable parts

Sharing is easy between models and pieces of equipment

+ Parts can be “reused”

+ Parts can be resized

The open source library takes advantage of files in several ways.

Parts and equipment are available to be “grabbed” from the library and then assembled into new equipment in an efficient manner.

SketchUp file from GrabCad

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Component Designs can be Scaled and Stress Tested

Computer Stress Tested 40/50/60 CM Diameter Paddy Wheel with 20 CM Width Paddle

A goal of the Open Source Library is to increase the equipment appropriate for women farmers

Weed Weasel - USA based Sales- head and removable tines

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Existing designs can be modified

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Possible Weed Weasel Addition/Modification

Why Share Designs?

1 We can use, test and compare the same design (or component such as a rotor)

2 Compare results and make modifications

3 Suggest/develop new equipment

4 Communicate ideas clearly and quickly

5 Incorporate designs from sources such as Conservation Agriculture

Together we can create a process of searching for well used, and well-tested designs to add to the library.

Earth Links does not design or manufacture weeders

We want to faithfully reproduce designs already in use and help bring other people designs to light.

We will not produce designs that are patented or copyrighted without permission.

We make every effort to find the source of the equipment and credit the country and region of origin and individuals.

Search for a Weeder to meet my needs; Sort by

mp

Cost USD < 5 USD < 20 USD < 50 USD

Plant Spacing 16 CM 18CM 20 CM

Materials Metal Wood Bamboo

The library will have a simple set of searches such as weeder type, price, plant spacing and materials.

Links will be provided to the SRI-Rice database of SRI equipment manufactures, research articles…

The open source library will incorporate a Global Commons License to allow contributors to share their designs and suggest modifications to “Original”

designs.

Students will be able to upload their projects to a special section of untested equipment.

A project of Alfred State students, SRI Team 2, organized by SRI Global Inc and SRI-Rice

The Open Source Library will collect useful components that will speed up building new designs without reinventing the

wheel.

Computer Rendered file from 3D Warehouse

Thank YouStephen Leinau, MPAMD. SaifujjamanEarth Links Inc.Santa Cruz ,CA, USA

elinks@cruzio.com

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