FarmBot Genesis MAX

The most notable change from v1.4 is that v1.5 devices are now available in the FarmBot Genesis MAX size, covering an area 3m wide and 18m in length (3x larger than XL and 12x larger than the smallest size). The additional hardware needed for the MAX version includes more track extrusions and track joining plates, a longer power cable, water tube, belts, and cable carrier, and additional screws, tee nuts, and dowel pins.

Farmduino

The v1.5 kits include a new revision to our custom electronics board, the Farmduino. The board now features integrated Trinamic TMC2130 stepper drivers that are controlled with a SPI interface. These new drivers can deliver more current to the motors, offer significantly quieter operation, and can be tuned via software instead of DIP switches and screws. The new board also adds load detection circuitry to all of the peripherals, which can be used to detect peripheral disconnection, malfunction, and performance.

Modularized cables and tubing

In the v1.5 update we were able to modularize almost all of the cable and tubing connections at the junction between the y-axis cable carrier and the z-axis cable carrier. The water tube has been split in half and now includes a 90 degree barb. Meanwhile, the z-axis motor and encoder cables, camera cable, and vacuum pump cable have all also been split into y-axis and z-axis sections, and get joined together by 90-degree waterproof screw-together connectors. This makes assembly and disassembly of the FarmBot much easier, because these cables and tubes are not one continuous component running through so much cable carrier. The final remaining cable that needs to be modularized is the UTM cable, which we hope to do in a future version of Genesis.

Nut bars and flange locknuts

Genesis v1.5 features new stainless steel M5 flange locknuts that replace the functionality of the locknuts + washers from past versions. Combining these parts into one makes assembly faster and easier and reduces the overall part count. Additionally, v1.5 foregoes many drop-in style tee nuts in favor of stainless steel nut bars. Each nut bar replaces two to three individual tee nuts, lending to a faster assembly process and providing a more robust joint with the extrusion. The nut bars also do not suffer from the primary failure mode of drop-in tee nuts, which can fail to rotate in the slot and grip the extrusion. Many of the plate hole layouts were simplified to accommodate nut bars, also reducing overall part count.

Improved peripheral mounts

The vacuum pump mount is now an injection molded plastic component which helps absorb motor vibrations, reduces cost, and makes the z-axis lighter weight. Meanwhile, the solenoid valve is now mounted to a plastic injection molded part that combines the functionality of the mount and the cable guides.

Smaller x-axis cable carrier

The x-axis cable carrier has been reduced in size to have a 15mm x 30mm internal size. This saves significant weight and reduces friction when moving in the X direction. The horizontal cable carrier supports and mounts have been modified as well to accommodate the smaller carrier, adding to overall material, weight, and cost reductions in the kit.

Pi adapter board

The new Pi Adapter Board features a real-time clock, allowing FarmBot to accurately keep track of time in the absence of a network connection. This greatly improves the performance of offline/off-grid FarmBot operation.

Soil sensor

The new soil sensor PCB features the same soil moisture sensing capabilities, but adds soil temperature sensing as well. This measurement is read using an I2C interface. The new PCB has a matte-black finish, and is 100% open-source.

Miscellaneous

• Extrusions are now sandblasted before being clear anodized.
• Included a new sticker pack.
• Added an inline air filter to the vacuum pump tube to help prevent clogging.
• Switched to a stainless steel, M5 threaded luer lock adapter.
• Solenoid Valve electrical tabs now face the inlet side for cleaner wire routing.
• The kit now includes a camera calibration card instead of objects.
• Improved the z-axis motor mount to include a recessed lip for better mating with the vertical motor housing.
• Combined the garden hose adapter and barbed adapter into one component.
• The motors are now packed independently of the cables, allowing the same motor kit to be used in all three sizes of Genesis.

Production run 2

• Switched camera suppliers to improve image quality and camera reliability.
• Switched to shielded USB 2.0 cable for the camera cables to reduce interference.
• Upgraded to the Raspberry Pi Model 3B+, from the 3B.
• Changed supplier for the Pi power cable to reduce voltage drop.
• Removed the 16mm M/F standoffs beneath the Pi.
• Replaced the dowel pins with 100mm and 140mm long nut bars due to tolerance issues with the pins.
• Changed the labels on the Z motor and encoder cables and vacuum pump cable to ZY for the Y-axis sections and ZZ for the Z-axis sections.
• Added laser engraved NPT and GHT labels to the brass barbed adapters.
• Added a seed trough holder mount plate to offset the seed trough holder for better alignment with the seed injector needle.
• Sourced the o-rings from a different manufacturer because our primary supplier was out of stock.
• Sourced the power cord protector from a different manufacturer.
• Switched to using twist ties instead of zip ties for packaging the water tubing.
• Frosted the FarmBot logo on the electronics box lid.
• Removed the 60mm zip ties from the kit.
• Included a new Mushrooms sticker sheet.