PUN-DRILL rotary drill dibbler vs. pressure dibbling
PUN-DRILL is not intended to replace conventional dibbling. PUN-STANDARD systems remain the appropriate solution for most sowing applications. PUN-DRILL expands the available configuration options for applications where the characteristics of the tray, substrate or crop require reduced compaction.
It is particularly suitable for:
Paper Pots or Ellepots. In Paper Pot systems, where the substrate is contained within a paper wrapper, rotary drilling allows the hole to be formed by removing substrate rather than compressing it.
Compact substrates. The geometry and operating principle of the drills allow the system to be used in applications where part of the substrate needs to be removed during hole formation.
Applications requiring low compaction. Certain crops, tray formats or production conditions may require a seed hole with reduced substrate compaction.
Drills adapted to each application
The configuration of the PUN-DRILL rotary drill dibbler is specifically defined according to the operating conditions. The drill geometry is determined primarily by:
- tray type and format
- tray cell dimensions
- substrate characteristics
- required hole geometry and depth
For this reason, each application requires a preliminary compatibility assessment and drill design.
PUN-DRILL operates in combination with the PNX dibbling system. Unlike conventional punches, the drills require their own drive system to generate the rotary motion of each element during the marking cycle. Integration is designed according to the tray format and the space required to accommodate the drive system.
Key features of the PUN-DRILL rotary drilling system
- Self-drilling bits or augers with rotary motion
- Substrate removal during drilling
- Reduced substrate compaction around the hole
- Drill geometry configurable according to the application
- Designed for nursery trays
- Suitable for integration into automatic sowing lines
- Combined system with conventional PNX dibbling
In summary: PUN-STANDARD dibbling or PUN-DRILL rotary drilling?
Drilling instead of compacting. Conventional dibbling systems use punches with different geometries that penetrate the substrate by applying vertical pressure and displace it to form the seed hole.
The PUN-DRILL rotary drill dibbler uses a different principle. Each punch, drill or auger has a helical geometry and is driven with a rotary motion. As the drill penetrates the tray cell, the spiral carries the substrate outwards. The hole is therefore formed by removing substrate rather than compacting it.
There is no single dibbling system suitable for every application. PUN-STANDARD forms the hole by applying pressure to the substrate and is the standard solution for most crops and nursery trays. PUN-DRILL forms the hole through rotary drilling and substrate removal, providing an alternative for applications where reduced compaction is required. The choice of system depends on the characteristics of the tray, substrate, seed and crop.
