Seed fingers are an important part of the gin stand and are used to control the seed roll load, which in turn sets the turn-out and trash cleaning capacity of the gin stand. Yet mechanically the seed fingers are undeveloped in terms of their control and ability to be set. Currently, the fingers are set manually by the ginner who typically selects and then fixes a mechanical setting. There are no readings or dials to help reinforce the appropriateness of this setting, just visual inspection of seed flow and gin motor amperages by the ginner. Moreover, the force applied by the seed roll across the gin stand varies depending on the loading of seed-cotton across the gin stand.

Recent research by CSIRO has indicated that seed roll density and the forces that the seed roll exerts on seed roll casing constantly change, yet the seed fingers are usually fixed in the same position for extended periods. Indeed, seed roll density can change significantly many times over a one minute period as material in the seed roll is charged and discharged. High seed roll loading typically means low residual lint and longer fibre length, while low loading typically means poorer lint removal and lower fibre length. High trash and moisture also affect the loading on the seed roll. However, a ginner does not alter the seed fingers for these changes, and moreover does not change the seed fingers routinely because of the inconvenience in stopping the gin stand to make adjustments. The development of an automated, self adjusting system of seed fingers is proposed to overcome these variances in the loading of the seed roll. The outcomes of implementing such a system are better gin productivity and fibre quality in terms of grade (trash content), length and neps.