Case Study
Helping Carbon Robotics Expand LaserWeeder Capability
Figure 1 – LaserWeeder G2-600 with tracks in muck soil
How Andros Engineering helped turn a field-mobility challenge into a practical, manufacturable solution for next-generation robotic weeding.
Carbon Robotics is changing the way growers control weeds. Its LaserWeeder combines computer vision, AI deep
learning, robotics, and lasers to identify crops and weeds in real time, then eliminate weeds without herbicides or soil disturbance. But as with any advanced agricultural machine, success in the field depends on more than the core technology. A machine that works across regions, soil types, row spacings, and crop systems must also move reliably, adjust quickly, and support operators in real production conditions.
That is where Andros Engineering came in. Andros has spent decades designing
and manufacturing agricultural equipment built for real-world field use. For Carbon Robotics, that practical field experience, mechanical design capability, fabrication depth, and manufacturing support helped solve a critical challenge: improving the adjustability, height control, flotation, and field readiness of gauge wheels and gauge tracks for the LaserWeeder platform.
Figure 2 – Gauge Wheels Ready to Ship
“The Andros team has been easy to partner with due to their wide range of experience and skills, which combine well with their quick turnaround times and rock solid communication approach. I could always pick up the phone and get a hold of multiple Andros engineers whenever I needed to.”
– Ryan Crompton, Director of Hardware Engineering
The Challenge
Making An Advanced Machine Work Across More Fields.
Carbon’s challenge was practical and important. The LaserWeeder needed to maintain consistent machine height, adjust to different row spacings, support a heavy platform, and perform in softer field conditions. In many vegetable-growing regions, especially where growers move between different crops, bed configurations, and locations row-spacing flexibility is not optional. A machine that is difficult to adjust can limit where it can be used, how quickly it can be deployed, and how efficiently it can move between crops.
The existing adjustment process created its own problems. It required multiple tools, a forklift, and significant time working under the machine. That made row-spacing changes slower and more difficult than they needed to be.
“The core challenge was not just building a wheel or a track; it was making sure that the result worked seamlessly with Carbon’s exiting machine. That, and getting them a result quickly!”
Harrison Honerkamp, Principal Engineer at Andros Engineering
Figure 3 – Gauge track machining process
The Solution
Practical Engineering For Real Field Conditions
Carbon provided specifications and CAD for the LaserWeeder platform. Andros then developed the gauge wheel and gauge track support designs from scratch, focusing on the mechanical interfaces, adjustability, strength, serviceability, and manufacturability required for field production.
The gauge wheel solution used tandem wheels with hydraulic height adjustment. Andros also developed special clamps that allow the assemblies to be moved more easily to different positions, helping operators adjust the machine for different row spacings without the previous level of tooling, lifting equipment, or time under the frame.
For softer soil conditions and heavier load distribution, Andros developed gauge tracks using unpowered track assemblies designed to disperse the weight of the machine. The tracked system was also built around adjustability, allowing the machine to better match different crop and bed configurations while reducing ground pressure compared with wheel-only support.
A key engineering decision was the mounting interface. The system had to be strong enough for a heavy machine, precise enough to control working height, and easy for field crews to adjust safely. Andros integrated Soucy tracks with a custom track frame, combining a proven track system with a purpose-built structure for Carbon’s machine.
“The Andros team has been easy to partner with due to their wide range of experience and skills, which combine well with their quick turnaround times and rock solid communication approach. I could always pick up the phone and get a hold of multiple Andros engineers whenever I needed to.”
– Ryan Crompton, Director of Hardware Engineering
The Process
Collaborative, Iterative, And Fast
The work followed a direct and collaborative development path: Carbon sent a specification sheet, Andros drafted a proposal, the teams reviewed the design, improvements were incorporated, and the design was iterated toward a field-ready product. Harrison Honerkamp served as principal engineer for Andros, while Tom Klippenstien supported manufacturing and finished-product delivery. On Carbon’s side, Jaime Eltit served as in-field lead and Ryan Crompton led mechanical design.
Figure 4 – LaserWeeder G2-600 with tracks lifted
“Carbon is our favorite type of customer when it comes to AgTech: they are talented engineers who needed to increase their design and manufacturing capability quickly. Specifically, we are able to provide expertise in areas that are adjacent customer’s core competencies of robotics and AI. Providing that incremental increase in capability is our niche!”
Tom Klippenstein, Manufacturing Superintendent at Andros Engineering
The collaboration also highlighted one of Andros Engineering’s strengths: responding quickly when field reality exposes a design issue. During development, a vibration mount in the tracked gauge wheel system allowed too much deflection under load. With the
prototype due to ship, Andros redesigned, fabricated, and installed a new mount in less than 24 hours, allowing the unit to ship on time.
The Impact
Greater Versatility And A Wider Field Window
The gauge wheel and gauge track work helped Carbon Robotics expand the practical operating envelope of the LaserWeeder platform. With improved flotation and tracked support, Carbon machines could better access wetter and softer fields, extending the weeding window and increasing the number of conditions where the machine could be applied.
The improved adjustability also made the machine more adaptable to growers with different row spacings and crop programs. That flexibility is especially valuable for diversified farms and for growers operating in multiple regions, where bed configurations and field conditions can change significantly from one crop or location to another.
“Andros Engineering has been an exceptional partner for us. Their team moves with the speed and agility we need in the field, while still delivering custom, high-quality engineering solutions that support real-world deployments. They understand the urgency of our work and consistently help us solve problems quickly without compromising quality.”
– Jaime Eltit, VP of Field Operations, Carbon Robotics
For Andros Engineering, the project is an example of how the company partners with ag technology companies that need more than a prototype. They need equipment that can be built, adjusted, serviced, and trusted in demanding field conditions. For Carbon Robotics, the collaboration helped transform a mechanical support challenge into a field-ready solution that aligned with the company’s mission: giving growers advanced tools that work in the real world.
For more information, contact Andros Engineering at 805-227-2801