9 replies to this topic

[MaxGen]

Anyone know of some large 3D nest plans I can license?  Preferable at least 12"x12" or greater?  Some good smaller ones on Thingiverse, but I'd like to try something big..

[Acutus]

12 x 12? That would need a huge colony!! I got a really big colony of C. chromaiodes and it can't fill an 8 x 8 (64 sq in) from AC. A 12 x 12 or (144 sq in) is more than twice the area of that!

Are there people keeping colonies that large? what types of ants?

 

I would say though if you can't design it yourself, plan it out and work with a College student who knows how to program the design.

Edited by Acutus, May 25 2019 - 1:01 PM.

[electricv]

Just expand the small nest and check the parameters of it to make sure the chamber have not expanded too much that it is not livable. It is really not that complex and microsoft(idk about apple) has a program which you can view it.

[MaxGen]

Expanding or Scaling would not work as it would increase the diameter of the entrance holes as well.

 

I found an amazing model on Thingiverse.  Search for Ant Nest Pro. - 2930125

 

Use supports, but remove them for the heating cable chambers.  The hydration wall is the best I have seen.  Sturdy, but even permeation.  I had to modify the entrance hole in Tinkercad so that it would properly accommodate our Imperial size tubing.

[electricv]

yeah, use tinker cad to add in custom sized holes so that is not a problem. I have done this with design I liked before.

 

The only big problem is, how are you going to print it. This needs a ton of time/material.

Edited by electricv, June 11 2019 - 1:02 PM.

[MaxGen]

I used 10% fill. Takes about 38 hours and half a roll. Still cheaper than buying from antscanada .

[electricv]

oh ok then. I thought you would use 15 or 20% infill 

[MaxGen]

Yeah the first nest I printed I used 20% and it took more than half the roll. 10 is low, but I can get 2 nests per roll
That way. Might try 12 or 15 next.

[electricv]

ok that's pretty cool. If you want I can send u a design of the ant nest pro but larger and it will have proper sized holes for 1/4 id   3/8 od   tubing

but u can probably do that urself lol

Edited by electricv, June 12 2019 - 2:43 PM.

[MaxGen]

Thanks elective, that's nice of you to offer.  The Nest Pro is huge.  It's a perfect size for what I was looking for.  Really deep chambers too, for even more ants...

 

I was able to resize the hole for 1/2" tubing.  Just filled with with a cylinder, shoved a 3/8" hole cylinder all the way through, then shoved another 1/2" hole cylinder up close to the edge of the 3/8" hole, nest end.  This gave me a lip at the end for the tube to but up against instead of penetrating all the way into the nest.

 

Looks good if I do say so myself   I had always been intimidated to try to edit /.stl's but I'm glad I stuck with it.  It's not hard and really handy to know.