March 2024
REMINDER Swath Gobbler™ & Accessory Kit increases from $3749 to $3999 April 1
This is a great time to order if you plan to add more in the near future!
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IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Laying Swath Paper for Spraying - NEW Quick-load Speed Track Kit
Time Saver - NEW Drill-Powered Swath Paper Roller
Software Update - Pro Version 1.4.2
Swath Gobbler™ Scientific - Progress Report
Quick Tip: Are you gathering too much data? Ways to swath faster in the field!
Peek into the SG WIP: Future Products
NEW Quick-Load Speed Track - An easier sampling method
Measuring swath with receipt paper requires that the paper be held down on the ground. No doubt you have read the swathing white paper that details using either 1” x 4” trim boards or vinyl cove molding, then attaching the paper with rubber bands. Thousands of swaths have already been collected and analyzed using this simple method.
You've given us a lot of feedback about this system. The big pile of boards poses issues with transportation, and using rubber bands is time consuming and requires a lot of bending over. High-volume users need a faster system. We listened to you and engineered a new continuous feed track system. It is made of easily transportable 4’ tracks specifically designed to snap together and hold the paper without rubber bands. The track keeps the paper in place even in high down wash applications, and doesn't interfere with the center of the paper where the Swath Gobbler™ takes readings.
To load a paper, assemble the track, then simply clip the end of the paper to the new sled, align with the track, and pull the paper down the full length of the track. One set includes 13 tracks for a total of 52’, easily transported in a sturdy case. You can customize your swath to any length needed by connecting multiple sets; they easily snap together. The tracks are currently built to order. Orders are lining up quickly and will be fulfilled in the order they are received. The first orders are expected to ship around April 1. Expect a three to four week lead time. Click here and press the “Buy Now” button to download the fillable Excel form to start your order.
Time Saver - Drill-Powered Paper Spooler
Roll paper in seconds with the power of your hand drill and our paper spooler. Now included with every Swath Gobbler™, you can also order them as needed via our Swathing Supplies Order Form.
Download the fillable Excel Order Form from our Product website, Better Field Studies.
NEW Software Update - Pro Version 1.4.2
Now calculating swath, swath offset, and CV at a wide range of % coverages, the Swath report gives you more actionable data, faster. With faster processing speeds and expanded reporting, Swath Gobbler™ Pro Software version 1.4.2 is now available to download at sgswath.swathgobbler.com. If you are unable to use the new software for any reason, PLEASE CONTACT US (call 877-410-2363 or email swathgobbler@applicationinsightllc.com), Version 1.3.1 will remain available to download.
Example of new report:
Swath Gobbler™ Scientific - Progress Report
As you may already know, Swath Gobbler™ Scientific will allow advanced analytical functions and faster data processing beyond the capabilities of Swath Gobbler™ Pro software. The hardware (Swath Gobbler™ image acquisition device) does not change. This means if you decide to upgrade to Scientific, your investment will be preserved.
It is not necessary to wait for Scientific to be released to order your Swath Gobbler™. You can begin gathering data now with Pro, and you will be able to upgrade the software upon release.
The Scientific software will add the following features:
Scanning several swaths using multiple Swath Gobblers™, simultaneously, all connected to a single computer.
Combining multiple swaths into a 2 dimensional data set.
Reporting the multi-swath data set as a heat-map to visualize the impacts of changes in operation behaviors, changing environmental conditions, and other factors along a single spray pass.
Swath Gobbler™ Scientific software with its multichannel data acquisition capability will empower your team to scan and analyze data as fast or faster than you can set up, spray, dry, and collect the swaths. The multi-swath analysis will unlock greater insights on operational, behavioral and environmental factors that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to extract from a single swath.
We are currently 4-6 weeks from the Alpha version of the software. This is a little slower than we expected, but that's how R&D goes sometimes. The upside is that we have developed a lot of other field hardware that will make physically collecting large quantities of data much easier. We are expecting a mid to late Q2 2024 release. Those of you who are waiting, we will send proposals as soon as we begin testing the Alpha version of the software. Stay tuned, it will be ready soon!
Quick Tip - Speed up your swath reporting!
Are you gathering too much data for your needs? The default setting on SG Pro is to scan every 35.5 mm. This is capturing 100% of the data on the paper. This is ideal for research,, but if you just need to measure or verify swath in the field, do you really need that much data?
Setting the Image Spacing in the report to 100 mm will run the paper a whopping 66% faster. A 100’ swath can be scanned in about 8 minutes. You will still be taking 10 samples per meter, a very robust dataset. Setting image spacing to 200 mm spacing is 5 samples per meter (still lots of data) and results in a blazing sub-5 minute scan for that same 100’ swath.
If you are just looking to verify settings on a commercial application, we highly recommend using these faster Image Spacing settings. It’s still great data, you just get back to making money faster!
Swath Gobbler™ Works in Progress - Future Projects
There are two additional products in the works to support Swath Gobbler™ field data acquisition.
Tall Crop Tripods: you want to sample in corn and sugar cane. We know how difficult that is firsthand! We are currently developing tripod kits that will be able to set the swath boards from 2’ up to approx. 8’ tall in-crop. We expect each tripod to support 8’ linear feet of Speed Track. Tripods will fold into the same rolling 50” long cases that the Speed Track comes in for easy management. The tripods will also allow sampling with Speed Track UPSIDE DOWN to better understand leaf underside coverage; a good sampling option for those spraying pumpkins, strawberries, and other crops that need great 3 dimensional coverage. We expect to have this product early to midsummer 2024 in advance of the Corn Run.
Speed Track Light: for sampling on the ground, we are working on an extruded PVC Speed Track Light that will snap together like Speed Track, at a lower more attractive price point. This will be offered in the same cases as Speed Track, but with more track in each case (TBD but ideally 60-80’). This will be an important product to accompany Swath Gobbler™ Scientific, where 10 or more swaths may need to be laid out and researchers may not want to transport and lay out half a lumberyard in the field. Speed Track Light will be less rigid than speed track and may not be usable with the Tall Crop Tripods. We do not currently have an expected delivery date for this product but will keep you informed!
An Auto-Spooler for the SG is in the works. This will cleanly collect the paper onto a roll as it processes through the SG. Prototypes are being tested, currently no release date or anticipated price is yet offered.
Have other needs, or have ideas for your needs that can advise the development of these products? Let us know!
Wrapping Up
Thank you again for being part of the Swath Gobbler™ community! Tell us what you think - we want to hear about your experiences and challenges. We are easy to reach: 877-410-2363 or swathgobbler@applicationinsightllc.com.
That’s all for this newsletter, thanks for spending a few minutes with us!
All material herein Copyright 2024 Application Insight, LLC
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