Development of a device made on a 3D printer to determine physical properties of grains

The physical properties of grains are essential for harvesting, storage, and commercialization. These properties, such as bulk density and moisture content, are usually measured with self-propelled machines, expensive equipment, or in laboratories, making them inaccessible to small producers. The research developed a low-cost and easy-to-use device that measures these properties. Tested and calibrated with corn and beans using the standard oven method 105°C/24h, it achieved an excellent coefficient of determination (r2) of 0.998 for beans and 0.999 for corn. The bulk density was calibrated using a precision scale and a hectoliter weight kit, resulting in r2 values of 0.928 for beans and 0.926 for corn. The device is a viable option for Precision Agriculture for small producers.