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Purpose: To present a flexible and accurate autonomous solution for creating any desired row spacing value between the hydroponic gullies in multilayer growing units, and evaluate the capabilities and performance of the relevant automated system through the use of virtual prototyping technique. Methods: To build the virtual prototype of the system, CAD models of its different parts, including an autonomous vehicle and the mechanical mechanisms embedded in the multilayer growing unit, were developed and imported into the RecurDyn simulation software. In order to implement the automated row spacing operation, three spacing modes with different loading cycles and working steps were defined, and the operation of the system was simulated to obtain the target row spacing values specified for each of these modes. Results: Motion profiles related to the horizontal displacement of: 1) the lower and upper sliding bars installed in the cultivation layers, and 2) the hydroponic gullies, during the simulation of the system operation, were generated and analyzed. No deviation from the specified target spacing values was observed at the end of simulations for all spacing modes. Conclusions: The results of the motion analysis obtained by simulating the system operation confirm the effectiveness of the control scheme proposed for automated row spacing of gullies. It was also found that proper sequencing of the loading cycles and the precision of the working strokes of the upper bars are the critical factors for establishing a certain row spacing value. Based on the simulation results, precise control of the back and forth motions of the upper bars is highly necessary for sound operation of the real system.

Virtual Prototyping of Automated System for Adjustable Row Spacing of Hydroponic Gullies in Multilayer Plant Factory