Post by nick on Aug 12, 2018 15:08:43 GMT -5
I'd read in a few places that some users had problems with algae growing in the water ports of the Farm since a small amount of water is exposed to the light when the bowls are full. As it turns out I have a strict no algae policy for my new Farm, so I thought I'd better do something about that. I knew I could just cover it with foil, but I thought maybe I could do something that'd be useful for everyone.
It started with breaking out FreeCAD. I'm no expert, but with a bit of reading over the last year or so I've been able to design a few things I wanted to make.
After the design was done I sent it off to one of the 3D printers at my employer's maker space lab. I have the great fortune of being able to print in PLA plastic using any of these printers for no charge. If I want to print more sophisticated things, the lab has much nicer (and larger) printers that I can use for a fee, as well as laser cutters and all of the electronic components a maker could want.
The printer started heating and then...
...it was off and running. Total print time for two port covers was just over 4 hours. I probably printed at a higher resolution than was necessary, but the lab was empty this weekend so I didn't feel bad taking up a little extra time.
Here's the finished product. I was too lazy to calculate the radius of the curve so the support doesn't run all the way around the piece, but it seems to stay in place just fine without it. In fact mine snapped into place very snugly.
Here it is from the top so you can see the support rail a bit better.
And here it is installed in my farm next to my germinating lettuce pods. Hopefully this means I won't ever find algae in the water ports of my bowls!
If any other Farm owners with access to a 3D printer would like to print their own, here's the link the STL file on Thingiverse: www.thingiverse.com/thing:3046603
It started with breaking out FreeCAD. I'm no expert, but with a bit of reading over the last year or so I've been able to design a few things I wanted to make.
After the design was done I sent it off to one of the 3D printers at my employer's maker space lab. I have the great fortune of being able to print in PLA plastic using any of these printers for no charge. If I want to print more sophisticated things, the lab has much nicer (and larger) printers that I can use for a fee, as well as laser cutters and all of the electronic components a maker could want.
The printer started heating and then...
...it was off and running. Total print time for two port covers was just over 4 hours. I probably printed at a higher resolution than was necessary, but the lab was empty this weekend so I didn't feel bad taking up a little extra time.
Here's the finished product. I was too lazy to calculate the radius of the curve so the support doesn't run all the way around the piece, but it seems to stay in place just fine without it. In fact mine snapped into place very snugly.
Here it is from the top so you can see the support rail a bit better.
And here it is installed in my farm next to my germinating lettuce pods. Hopefully this means I won't ever find algae in the water ports of my bowls!
If any other Farm owners with access to a 3D printer would like to print their own, here's the link the STL file on Thingiverse: www.thingiverse.com/thing:3046603
