The Farmduino and Raspberry Pi are the central components of the FarmBot from an electronic systems perspective. The diagram below shows how the other electronic components connect to these boards, as well as how the two are connected to each other.

The Farmduino microcontroller uses Arduino architecture and it communicates with the Raspberry Pi using a G-code like language. The Farmduino controls the stepper drivers and motors, as well as the UTM and peripherals. The Farmduino provides power and control to all the electronic components of the FarmBot. The board has a layout and connectors that are optimized for FarmBot’s various peripherals and motor requirements.

Meanwhile, the Raspberry Pi is the web-connected brain that keeps track of FarmBot’s plants, sequences, regimens, events, and settings. Additionally, the Raspberry Pi is responsible for taking photos with the USB camera, and monitoring and controlling the push buttons and LEDs on top of the electronics box via the Pi adapter board.

Step 1: Attach the electronics box to the gantry

Attach the pre-assembled electronics box to the left gantry column using six M5 x 10mm screws and tee nuts. The top flange of the box should be butted against the bottom edge of the left gantry corner bracket.

Step 2: Connect the peripherals

• Connect the y vacuum pump cable (with gray heat shrink) to the Farmduino peripheral connector labelled VACUUM (the top right connector on Farmduino). The connector will only fit in one direction.
• Connect the solenoid valve cable (with blue heat shrink) to the Farmduino peripheral connector labelled WATER (directly underneath the vacuum connector). The connector will only fit in one direction.
• Connect the LED strip to the Farmduino peripheral connector labelled LIGHTING (directly underneath the water connector). The connector will only fit in one direction.

Step 3: Plug in the stepper motors and rotary encoders

Plug in the motor and encoder cables to the Farmduino. Each cable is labelled with a white sleeve, which corresponds to the connectors on the Farmduino. From left to right, the connectors on Farmduino are X1, X2, Y, and Z. Each connector can only be inserted in one direction, and has a locking tab to prevent it from falling out.

Step 4: Plug in the camera

Plug the camera cable into the Raspberry Pi. The exact USB port chosen does not matter.

Step 5: Plug in the UTM cable

Plug in the UTM cable to the Farmduino. The connector will only fit in one direction.

Step 6: Plug the power supply into the Farmduino

Connect the 3-pin power supply connector to the Farmduino’s power input. The connector will only fit in one direction.

Step 7: Insert the supergland

Insert one half of the supergland into the slot in the bottom of the electronics box. The left-most hole in the supergland should be small (it is for the camera) while the right-most hole should be medium-sized (it is for the power supply).

Organize and position the cables into the supergland. From left to right, the cables should be: camera, UTM, motors, encoders, peripherals, power supply.

Once the cables are all inserted into the first supergland half, gently insert the second half of the supergland into the slot in the electronics box. Ensure that the flanges of both supergland halves are on either side of the electronics box wall.

Step 8: Install FarmBot OS onto the microSD card

Follow these instructions on the software documentation hub to install FarmBot OS onto the micro SD card.

Step 9: Mount the power supply

Mount the power supply to your supporting infrastructure using four wood screws. The power supply is IP67 rated, so it can withstand rain and the elements.

Step 10: Plug in the power supply

Connect the power supply cable to the power supply output.

Before plugging the power supply into an outlet or an extension cord, please read the precaution below.

If everything looks good, and you understand the precautions needed around powered electronics, go ahead and plug the power supply into a GFCI outlet.

If an appropriate outlet is not close enough to plug in directly, use an extension cord and the provided green outdoor electrical connection protector.

What’s next?

• Final steps

  Final steps to take now that your FarmBot is fully assembled and powered up.