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    Vertical Farm

    Würth Elektronik Vertical Farming

    Why Vertical Farming?

    We are faced with more and more challenges. Climate change, growing world population, loss of farmland and the need for a better use of resources. To solve these challenges, Würth Elektronik is actively accelerating the green revolution by supporting the development of the farm of tomorrow to ensure sustainable food production.

    So it comes to vertical farming. Read our article over on Design Spark or explore more below.

    Learn more about Vertical Farming from WE with RS

    LIGHT

    LEDs are the ideal solution for vertical farm lighting. They can emit very specific bandwidths of light while being extremely rugged and relatively small when compared to other lighting technologies.

    In addition, LEDs have a long life, have low voltage requirements and do not generate as much excessive heat making them exceptionally efficient.

    Lighting Development Kit

    The all-in-one Lighting Development Kit provides an easy solution to mix RGBW colour for different lighting situations, amplify the growth of plants with the horticulture panel or even for indoor illumination based on Human Centric Lighting (HCL). The MagI³C Multi Colour LED driver can power all three Panels. With four MagI³C LED Step Down High Current Modules (172946001) as its heart it is possible to control the intensity and colour of each of the four LED strings individually to meet the applications needs.

    Wurth Elektronik LEDs for hoticulture

    Horticulture LEDs - Optoelectronics Portfolio

    The wavelengths (450 nm, 660 nm, 730 nm) have been specially selected for plant cultivation to promote photosynthesis and optimize plant development. The superior PPF values, small size and low power dissipation make the WL-SMDC series perfect for Horticulture lighting.

    • High luminosity
    • Colour spectrum individually adaptable to plants
    • Complete colour spectrum available including white, UV and IR LEDs
    • Low thermal resistance
    • Electrically neutral heat path
    • One solder pad for the complete colour spectrum

    WPME-LDHM LED Driver

    The LDHM is a constant current Buck LED driver that can drive up to 450mA LED current, driving up to 16 LEDs in series. From the MagI3C Power Module family, it provides a fully integrated constant-current LED driver, including the controller IC, freewheeling diode and inductor in one package.

    A ready-to-use solution for single string LED lighting applications.

    • Leaded package for easy manufacturing & prototyping
    • Simple layout
    • Supports quick and easy design in: only 5 steps
    • PWM and analog dimming supported
    • Adjustable LED current
    • Low conducted and radiated EMI (compliant to EN55015)

    PCB Fuseholders and LED Connectors

    WR-FSH Fuseholders are designed to bring safety on the devices. The low profile design of the WR-LECO connector, together with its white color, helps prevents shading as well as saving space. The single contact poke in connector is suitable for vertical cable entry.

    • Solutions for PCB & Panel mount to use with 5 x 20mm fuses
    • UL & VDE, IEC Standard 60127-6 certified
    • Lead-free and  RoHS compatible
    • Current rating up to 9 A

    CONNECT

    Vertical farms have a range of sensors, power modules and lighting systems that all need to be safely connected, in a humid environment.

    M12 Circular Connectors are sturdy, mechanically resistant components, able to work in harsh environments (vibration, dust, water), thanks to their high IP-rating & their steady screw-locking.

    M12 Circular Connectors

    M12 Circular Connectors are sturdy, mechanically and environmentally resistant components fit for industrial and outdoor uses.

    • Available in IP67/IP68 protection classes
    • Supports power supply (up to 5A) and data transmission
    • Panel mount, PCB, and cable solutions

    FFC Connectors

    WR-FFC folding flat flexible cables are ideal for secure, lightweight, low profile, high density space saving board to board connections.

    The increased flexibility of these FFC cables enables complex board to board connections to be made in compact and difficult to reach applications.

    • High flexibility rating and a flexing test of 180° >20 times
    • Low profile and lightweight, ideal for saving space in high density applications
    • Blue PET support tape to facilitate ZIF & LIF connections
    • Simple assembly process
    • Variety of lengths and circuits

    Ribbon Flat Cable

    This Wurth Elektronik WR-CAB series 4 wire 1m ribbon flat cable is designed and developed with the intention for use in general electronics equipment. The rated current of the cable is 1A and rated voltage is 300V.

    • Operating temperature range is from -25°C to +105°C
    • Stranded wire section 28(AWG)
    • PVC insulator material
    • Conductor material is made of copper
    • Tin conductor plating

    REDFIT IDC SKEDD Connectors

    REDFIT IDC is a solderless reversible direct plug-in connector with SKEDD technology and insulation displacement connection. The SKEDD contacts are plugged directly into the plated through-holes of a PCB. The mating partner and a potential error source is eliminated.

    • Higher process reliability
    • Space Saving solution
    • Lower material and process costs
    • Connecting the mainboard to the front panel installation

    POWER

    Energy is necessary in vertical farming to power the lighting, water and nutrient distribution, and sensors. Depending on the farm location, heating and cooling of the environment will also be necessary through monitored climate control.

    Managing the energy efficiently is important to ensure the sustainability of this style of farming.

    Power Inductors

    Control Box PV Voltage to Utility Voltage: In this application, higher power levels are likely to be managed, so components capable of handling this power are needed.

    Control Box DC-DC Converter: This converts the utility voltage to the desired voltage for all consumers: CPU, interface, display, etc. In this case, a compact form factor is more important than power output due to the high power requirements.

    WR-BHD Box Headers

    Whether it's for the preparation of nutrients or powering the automated system, your farm needs reliable and cost effective wire to board connectors.

    Benefits of the WR-BHD range from Würth Elektronik:

    • Available in a range of pitch sizes and pin count
    • Operating Temperature-40 up to +105 °C
    • Contact Resistance 20 mΩ
    • RISO 1000 MΩ

    WS-RSTV Rocker Switches

    Accommodating both AC and DC power, WS-RSTV Rocker Switches are typically used for the primary power switch, to activate or disconnect the electrical circuit.

    To ensure adherence to safety standards, all WS-RSTV switches are certified and comply with the IEC/UL/CQC 61058 standard.

    • AC Power: max. 250 VAC
    • DC Power: 12VDC, 24VDC, 60VDC depends on component dimensions.
    • Glow Wire test according to GWEPT IEC 60695-2-11 for 750ºC
    • UV test based on IEC 60068-2-5

    Aluminum Polymer Capacitors

    WCAP-PSLP Aluminium Polymer Capacitors are low profile, with a high ripple current, low parasitic inductances, high reliability and very good temperature properties. They are built to have a good lifetime performance, making them cost effective and reliable.

    • Low ESR over high frequency range
    • Capacitance range: 4.7 µF ‒ 390 µF
    • Capacitance tolerance: ±20 %
    • Voltage range (UR): 6.3 ‒ 100 V(DC)
    • Operating temperature: -55 °C up to +105 °C
    • Endurance: 2000h @ +105 °C

    REDCUBE Terminals

    REDCUBE Terminals are the most dependable high-power contacts at the PCB level. Their current rating, especially in the case of REDCUBE PRESS-FIT - up to 500A - is truly impressive.

    Even with equivalent ampacity, these components exhibit the least heat generation when compared to alternative power supply parts for PCBs. REDCUBE Terminals are perfectly suited for linking the system to the power supply or battery.

    • Simple & quick processing
    • Extraction Force 10 kg / Pin
    • No cold solder joints
    • High process safety
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    MONITOR

    Monitoring the climate, lighting, nutrients and other environmental factors are essential to the success of vertical farms.

    Robust sensors, connected wirelessly, allow data around temperature, humidity levels and growth of each plant to be processed and actioned to ensure optimum performance.

    Sensors

    Temperature and humidity sensors can provide real-time data on the environmental conditions within the vertical farming facility.

    This data facilitates making necessary adjustments to maintain an ideal growing environment for plants. Also, this data helps to take preventive measures to avoid the spread of diseases, fungi, and mould and ensure the overall health of the crop.

    Pressure sensors help to understand and predict changes in the weather than may have an impact on growing conditions.

    Wireless Connectivity

    The main purpose of any IoT solution is to get data from the field to the cloud ready for analysis.

    With a wide range of IoT connectivity options available, decisions are increasingly based on cost, security, coverage, power usage and the potential throughput of the connectivity.

    • Short and long range IoT connectivity options
    • Wifi, Bluetooth®, Mesh

    USB Connectors for safe and fast data connection

    USB connectors are used for communication, data transfer and power supply between computers and electronic devices.

    USB is used more and more as a substitute to other connectors (high data rate and power supply).

    • Various Standard-A, Standard-B, Mini-B and Type-C configurations
    • Double socket combinations
    • Different orientations

    Videos

    The future of food production! Würth Elektronik as enabler in the field of vertical farming:

    Vertical indoor farming with horticulture LEDs makes a significant contribution to producing food sustainable and locally. It can be seen as part of the solution when it comes to feeding the growing world population in the future. It complements traditional agriculture in a meaningful way and ensures more yield and a secure food supply.

    Sustainable Food Production with Horticulture LEDs:

    You want to know more about sustainable food production with Horticulture LEDs? Business Development Manager, Johann Waldherr, will introduce you to the newest products from WE's portfolio of Horticulture LEDs and offer insights into this highly topical subject. In addition, he will discuss the most important features of the Horticulture LEDs and answer the most important questions around this topic.

    #askLorandt explains: The benefits of using LEDs in horticultural applications

    Lorandt explains the versatility of LEDs in Horticulture applications. With our Horticulture Evaluation Board we can tailor the different wavelengths of light a plant receives at different stages of growth to increase desirable characteristics.