In this research and development, a tree tagging system was designed and built as a cooperative venture between the Forestry Department Sarawak (FDS) [1] and University of Technology Sarawak (UTS) [2], Sibu, Malaysia.  This paper enumerates the activities and outputs of this research and development.  A 3D machine was used to develop the plastic portion of the equipment [3].  Figure 1 is the initial output of the 3D machine. And Figure 2 is the complete setup. Figure 13 third image is a depiction of what this system does.

Literature Review 

The tree tag used for this device is shown in Figure 17.  The details are (1) Crown Hammer No: which is a consecutive number of the tree, (2) The Date of Siezure:, (3) Location:, (4) Seizing Officer ID Mark:.

Most Forestry organizations do not have a standard procedure for marking trees.  In Malaysia, the state of Sarawak does not follow the same procedures as the rest of Malaysia [4]. 

Most use tree tagging as a guide for tree cutters to know which tree to cut.  Often different colors are used to identify the product the cut tree will be utilized for [5].

Reasons for tagging trees are (1) marking the high risk of mortality trees (2) Marking poor stem quality so that those trees can be felled before they die [6], (3) Marking less desirable species, 4) Indicate trees with low crown vigor which means those trees which has a low top view surface area [7], (5) Indicate that a tree need to be felled to improve spacing that is specified by silvicultural prescription, (6) Marking boundaries, (7) Tariffing is a forestry word to indicate selecting measuring to predict the volume of tree that can be achieved by felling those trees [8], (8) Marking trees which has animal nests or cavities which are used as nests, (9) Trees which are extremely healthy are usually kept as a seed source are often tagged not to be felled [9].

For the 3D machine to output an object, the SolidWorks schematic must be first converted to a STL file [10].  This STL file must be inputted into a slicing software named FlashPrint5 [11] to generate G-codes.  The G-codes are inputted into the 3D machine to enable it to generate the plastic part [12]. The plastic used for this project is PLA (polylactic acid) [13]. The first output of the 3D machine is shown in Figure 1; the excess plastic must be removed with the help of tweezers, pliers and cutters [14].  To perform this process a face shield and gloves must be worn or else some of these sharp plastic portions may fly, especially into the human eyes [15].

For the electrical and microcontroller portions, a Micro 360 Degree Continuous Rotation Servo motor was used with brand name FITEC, part number: FS90R was used to push the label out [16].

Figure 3 shows all the small parts of the yellow plastic housing which were instructed to be made by the 3D printer.  Figure 4 is the 3D printer. Figure 5 is the SolidWorks schematic built and Figure 6 includes the parts as well as the names of the parts.  Figure 7 is the battery compartment with the rechargeable LIR 18650 4000mAh, 3.7 V Li ion battery used [16].  Figure 8 is the servo motor used including its dimension.  Figure 9 is how the circuit is installed.  Figure 9 right image indicates that the motor is powered with a positive, negative and a third wire which is the signal wire.  This wire receives signal from the microcontroller as well as from the encoder in the motor [17].  Figure 10 is this author building the circuitry.  Figure 11 is this author installing the circuitry on the yellow housing together with co-author, Ting Kee Choung and the main technician involved, Aswandi.  Figure 12 is the final buildup of the system.

Figure 13 is the buildup of the solar cell portion.  Figure 14 indicates that the output voltage of the solar cell is 5.6V, which is alright for the 4.2 V rechargeable Li ion battery used. Figure 15 is the charger. The solar cell power is connected to this unit and it has an indication of the percentage of charge the battery has.  When it reaches 100% the battery is removed by the user.

Figure 16 is how the tree tagger is used by the Forestry official.  Figure 17 is the details on the tree tag.  Figure 18 is a group photo of some of the builders of the system namely, this author, Ellisha (co-author), Azwn, Syed, (both representatives of the Forestry Department), Ting Kee Cheong (co-author) and Matthews. 

The solar panel is placed on the dashboard of the car as the Forestry officials typically use their Toyota Hilux cars to move from one forest to another.

Figure 1: The 3D Printed Portion of the System, just after 3D Printing Process

Figure 2: The Complete System used to Tag the Forest Trees

Figure 3: The Parts after the 3D Printing

Figure 4: The 3D Printing Machine

Figure 5: SolidWorks Drawing of the System

Figure 6: The Complete Parts of the System

Figure 7: The Battery Compartment

Figure 8: The Servo Motor used

Figure 9: The Servo Motor used FITEC, Model: FS90R

Figure 10: This Author (Blue Shirt) is Building the Electrical and Electronic Portion, behind is Ting who did the Solid Work and 3D Printing and to the Right of him is Aswandi who did the Mechanical Drilling and Grinding

Figure 11: Building the Circuit

Figure 12: Assembling the all the Part to become the full system

Figure 13: Testing the Solar Panel Portion of the System

Figure 14: Testing the Solar Panel

Figure 15: The Battery Charger to which the Solar Panel is connected. It has LED Indicating the Percentage of Charging on the top left and right

Figure 16: Using the Tree Tagger

Figure 17: The Tag that is Stapled onto the Tree

Figure 18:  The Team that are Involved, from Left, this Author, Ellisha (Co-Author), Azwan, Syed (Representatives of the Forestry Department), Ting (co-author) and Matthews

A tree tagging device was successfully developed after looking at the needs of the Forestry Department, Sarawak, Malaysia, a 3D printer and circuitry.  The operation of this device is shown in Figure 16.

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