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.
- 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, ...)
- DF5: with a measuring range of 11 mm for small fruits (e.g. cherries, grapes).
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| DF4 | 10 to 130 mm | 130 mm |
| DF5 | 5 to 30 mm | 11 mm |
| DF6 | 5 to 50 mm | 25 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 fruit | small-sized fruit | Small- to medium-sized, fast-growing fruit |
Suitable for fruit diameter | 10 – 130 mm | 0 – 30 mm | 5 – 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 |