DF Fruit and Vegetable Dendrometer

The DF series dendrometers are used for high-precision and continuous measurement of fruit and vegetable growth. These devices are suitable for long-term application in outdoor conditions. Due to their extremely low power consumption, Ecomatik dendrometers are ideal for battery-powered solutions, e.g., in IoT applications.

DF fruit and vegetable dendrometers are specially designed to measureme on fruit bodies of different sizes and shapes. This design allows for stable fixation of the fruit in the dendrometer frame without affecting fruit growth. Depending on the model and conditions of installation, the dendrometer frame can be flexibly attached to the branch/shoot from which a fruit hangs. This installation prevents any straining on the branch/shoot, thus avoiding damage to the fruit being measured.

The DF series comprises four different models:
The models DF5 and DF6 come with a quick-mount fruit holder in which the fruit is easily installed and measured.  Fruit growth is directly measured without mechanical magnification of the respective measuring range (11 and 25 mm). The fruit growth data collected by these models are precise to the nearest micrometer and are therefore suitable for tracking even the finest growth responses.

The DF4 model, on the other hand, comes with a completely different measuring and installation method. Instead of being fixed in a frame, the fruit is clamped in a movable claw. The advantages of this movable claw include quick, easy installation and a notable mechanically magnified measuring range of up to 130 mm. This range is suitable for many types of fruit and thus allows maintenance-free, absolute measurement of a fruit throughout the growth and ripening process.

  1. DF4, easy installation and maintenance-free measurement through a claw mechanism, large measuring range of 130 mm for large and fast-growing fruits (e.g. apple, orange, peach, tomato, ...)
  2. DF5: with a measuring range of 11 mm for small fruits (e.g. cherries, grapes).
  3. DF6: larger measuring range of 25 mm for medium-sized and fast-growing fruits (e.g. plums, nuts, tangerines, apricots)

Advantages

  • Suitable for diameters between 0 and 3 cm (DF5), 0 und 5 cm (DF6), or 0 and 13 cm (DF4)
  • Solutions for larger diameters on request
  • No extra weight load on the fruit
  • Records when ripening occurs in the case of soft fruit and vegetable varieties
  • Injury-free installation
  • Minimal pressure on the measuring point
  • Maximum stability against wind, snow, falling branches and fruit
  • Reliable measurement values

    Specific to the DF5 & DF6 models
  • Direct micrometer-precise measurement of fruit growth, without mechanical magnification of the respective measuring range (11 and 25 mm).
  • DF6 with extended measuring range; reduced maintenance effort (i.e. longer time interval between readjustment of the dendrometer frame) for fast-growing species

    Specific to the DF4 model
  • Mechanically greatly magnified measuring range of up to 130 mm, maintenance-free (no readjustment necessary) measurement of the absolute fruit diameter throughout the fruit formation process.

Limits

  • Not suitable for fruits that are too soft (e.g. ripe raspberries)

Models

Model name

Suitable for fruit diameter

Sensor measurement range

DF410 to 130 mm130 mm
DF55 to 30 mm11 mm
DF65 to 50 mm25 mm

Technical data

Sensor model name

Fruit & Vegetable Dendrometer

Type DF4

Fruit & Vegetable Dendrometer

Type DF5

Fruit & Vegetable Dendrometer

Type DF6

Scope of application

Medium-/large-sized and fast-growing fruitsmall-sized fruitSmall- to medium-sized, fast-growing fruit

Suitable for fruit diameter

10 – 130 mm0 – 30 mm5 – 50 mm

Special features/limitations

Quick and easy installation with the fruit gripper.

Mechanically greatly magnified measuring range of 130 mm.

Maintenance-free (no readjustment necessary) measurement of the absolute fruit diameter.

Quick and easy installation with quick-mount fruit holder.

Extended measuring range for medium-sized, fast-growing fruits.

Direct, micrometer-accurate measurement of fruit growth.

Quick and easy installation with quick-mount fruit holder.

Extended measuring range for medium-sized, fast-growing fruits.

Direct, micrometer-accurate measurement of fruit growth.

Measurement range

130 mm linear (full range, FS)

11.0 mm linear

25.4 mm linear

Resolution

Data logger dependent e.g.:

CR300 series: 0.15 µm

Dendrometer logger DL18: 2.5 µm

Data logger dependent e.g.:

CR300 series: 0.01 µm

Dendrometer logger DL18: 0.2 µm

Data logger dependent e.g.:

CR300 series: 0.03 µm

Dendrometer logger DL18: 0.5 µm

Accuracy

Dendrometer dependent: max. ± 0.8% of the measured value (stable offset)

Data logger dependent e.g.:

CR300 series: ± (0.1% of the measured value + 3.5 µm)

Dendrometer logger DL18: ± (0.1% of the measured value + 5.5 µm)

Dendrometer dependent: max. ± 4.5% of the measured value (stable offset)

Data logger dependent e.g.:

CR300 series: ± (0.04% of the measured value + 0.3 µm)

Dendrometer logger DL18: ± (0.1% of the measured value + 0.45 µm)

Dendrometer dependent: max. ± 1.97% of the measured value (stable offset)

Data logger dependent e.g.:

CR300 series: ± (0.04% of the measured value + 0.6 µm)

Dendrometer logger DL18: ± (0.1% of the measured value + 1 µm)

Output signal

Analogue, 0V to 80% of Vex (excitation supply voltage)

Analogue, 0V to Vex (excitation supply voltage)

Analogue, 0V to Vex (excitation supply voltage)

Temperature drift of the sensor

< 0.015% of FS/°C in the whole measurement range

< 0.2 µm/°C in the whole measurement range

< 0.2 µm/°C in the whole measurement range

Linearity

< 1%

< 1%

< 0.7%

Operational conditions

All Models:

normal outdoor field conditions, -25 to 70 °C, 0 to 100% relative air humidity

All Models:

normal outdoor field conditions, -25 to 70 °C, 0 to 100% relative air humidity

All Models:

normal outdoor field conditions, -25 to 70 °C, 0 to 100% relative air humidity

Weight (sensor without cable)

48 g

15 g

33 g

Power supply

Vex (! stabilized !) 0.5 to 10 VDC,

Power consumption max. 0.28 µWh per measurement

Vex (! stabilized !) 0.5 to 10 VDC,

Power consumption max. 0.28 µWh per measurement

Vex (! stabilized !) 0.5 to 10 VDC,

Power consumption max. 0.28 µWh per measurement

Material

Stainless steel and aluminium

Stainless steel and aluminium

Stainless steel and aluminium

Sensor cable length

5 m, extendable on request to max. 100 m

5 m, extendable on request to max. 100 m

5 m, extendable on request to max. 100 m

Manual

Technical data sheets

Special information for integrators & developers

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Accessories & Compatible Products

Data loggers

From small and compact to an extensive measuring network, Ecomatik offers complete system solutions for sensor data acquisition in any desired size:

Note

The output signal of all Ecomatik dendrometer models is an analogue DC voltage. Our dendrometers are therefore compatible with almost all common data loggers and microcontrollers with analogue voltage input channels (e.g. also Arduino). If you are unsure about the compatibility of an existing data logger, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Contact

You need a quotation, have questions about a product, or need extensive technical advice in the context of your project planning. Starting with an initial determination of your needs, through the detailed planning of the required measurement equipment and data transmission technology, up to professional implementation on site, we are at your disposal at any time with advice and action.

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Assessment of your needs

With your consideration and input, we determine which of our products best meet your needs. We are also happy to design fully-integrated measuring stations (plant, climate, soil sensors), including an independent power supply and mobile data transmission, depending on your requirements.

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Your contact details and Assessment of your needs

Like so many things, everything started with an idea ...

In the case of the plant scientist and founder of ECOMATIK, Dr. Liu, it was the idea that modern measurement technology should enable crucial plant physiological parameters to be measured directly, precisely and with high temporal resolution on the plant itself. It was obvious to him that there is an information potential of immense value in the detailed understanding of immediate reactions of plants to their environment...