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IoT - The Internet of Trees

Sap Flow Sensor.
A sensor that measures the flow of sap in a tree.
Sounds straightforward.
And with ingenious input from Edaphic and our team behind the design, it is relatively straightforward.
But it wasn’t always.

The Sap Flow Sensor measures data that tells you about a tree’s growth activity. From Yarra Valley grapevines to American Redwood forests, this sensor enhances the way researchers, growers and scientists look at tree health, growth, and environmental studies.

Edaphic came to us with a problem. The existing sensors available on the market just weren’t up to scratch. They would crack in the sun, split as the tree grew and end up a dud when it then rained.

Edaphic also came to us with an incredibly clever idea to improve the technology. Rather than take readings from the end of the pin outside the tree, they wanted to place the sensor elements inside the tree, – a far more accurate sensing solution, but one that required an ample measure of electronic and mechanical design wizardry.

Cobalt designed an all-new housing for this tech, tackling all the observed problems with the competitor’s hardware. With a flexible mounting solution for the pins, robust housing and a carefully selected potting compound, the outcome transformed the level of accuracy, reliability, and longevity of this technology. We even took the opportunity to rework the assembly process to make production significantly easier and more cost-effective.

What started with a discussion; “I’m not happy with this existing product”, ended with the production of an all-new product that has positioned Edaphic as a leader in the space - exceeding initial order expectations.

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Design Outcomes

Durability

Performance

Design for Manufacture

IoT Integration

The Team We believe good design happens by expert people working as a team.

Nat Hunt Project Leader

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Davis Tolley

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Graeme Marshall

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Libby Christmas

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Ben Goodwin

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Andrew Jack

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It has been great working with you, and you made the design process very easy!

Michael Forster  Edaphic Scientific Director

Other Work