Novag and Xometry Partner to Develop Advanced Equipment for Conservation Agriculture

Novag, a company focused on sustainable farming, has created next-generation seed drill systems for agricultural machines that ensure precise seed placement and soil conservation. By developing advanced equipment designed to boost efficiency and reduce environmental impact, Novag is leading the way in Next Generation Farming. With the manufacturing expertise of Xometry, Novag is producing cutting-edge agricultural systems that are transforming modern farming practices.

• Industry: Agriculture
• Technology used: Injection moulding, 3D printing and CNC machining
• Challenge: Rapidly manufacturing quality parts to respond to the climate crisis
• Solution: Working with Xometry to ensure a resilient production chain and access to multiple manufacturing processes

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Novag was founded in 2011 by engineer Ramzi Frikha and farmer Antoine Bertin. It is a small industrial company that makes farmers’ lives easier by eliminating the need for tilling—an arduous step in the farming process. Novag’s innovative range of seed drills allow all seed types to be sown in fields without prior preparation of the soil. One of the advantages and things that sets the company apart is that its process does not damage the soil.

T-ForcePlus seed drills: a commitment to environmentalism and economy

Novag’s range of T-ForcePlus seed drills stand out for their revolutionary seed planting technology: they employ an innovative technique for creating inverted T-shaped furrows, which enhances soil penetration and seed placement. This is combined with advanced precision methods that automatically adjust seeding depth to accommodate varying soil types, ensuring optimal growth conditions for each seed.

Diagrams illustrating the inverted-T groove process

Diagrams illustrating the inverted-T groove processrn

Having first been introduced in France, then in Germany, Australia and New Zealand, these innovative seed drills are adaptable and customisable for different environments. They optimise soil cover by leaving residues from previous crops on the surface. This conservation agriculture system protects the soil from drying out and improves infiltration, particularly in the event of heavy rainfall. It also helps prevent flooding and erosion issues, which in turn combats climate change.

By focusing on environmentalism and efficiency, Novag’s T-ForcePlus seed drills are setting new standards in the market.

Extended design phase for a high-performance machine

To reach a point where it was manufacturing fully functional machines, Novag spent several years prototyping and worked closely with its first clients to get constructive feedback. In 2017, the company hit a major milestone by successfully bringing to market its T-ForcePlus seed drills. The system has been fine-tuned since its original release, earning the machinery an excellent reputation and exhibition spots at international trade fairs such as Technica.

Challenging supply and parts: between precision and rigour

T-ForcePlus seed drills weigh between ten and twenty tonnes.  Counting each component, right down to the washers, there is a total of fifteen to twenty thousand individual parts per machine. This is why the supply chain is crucial for Novag, who designs and assembles its products in-house. For the assembly team, this complexity requires rigorous stock management. In addition, the team must have access to high quality parts that are manufactured using precise processes to ensure that the machine runs smoothly. To consistently achieve this level of excellence, Novag has to use suppliers capable of meeting exacting quality standards.

Scaling production and R&D with Xometry

During its early years, Novag only produced two or three machines a year. This meant that the company had a limited choice of manufacturing processes. As demand grew, Novag was able to switch to technologies that offered better long-term value. In 2021, Novag began working with Xometry to meet its needs, both in terms of prototyping (using 3D printing or machining) and mass production using plastic injection moulding. The Xometry technologies, manufacturing network and team have provided scalability and invaluable expertise in these different areas, which has allowed Novag to test new materials and designs, rapidly improve its products, and bring them to the market. 

3D printed part in Nylon PA12 / MJF – Grain dosing unit

TPU part produced using injection moulding – Pipe plug for grain transport

Future prospects

With its subsidiary in Germany focused on marketing and services, Novag continues to innovate and improve its products through customer feedback and research and development. Production has now reached between 50 and 60 machines a year, with major growth targets, both in France and abroad.

Working with Xometry has improved Novag’s supply chain resilience and improved the quality and speed of production, which has helped secure Novag’s status as a key player in conservation agriculture. Thanks to its groundbreaking approach and effective collaboration, Novag is now one of the pioneers of sustainable, high-performance agriculture.