33 replies to this topic

[ANTdrew]

I second the recommendation for epoxy.

[T.C.]

I've used the epoxy and it works well if you do it right. However it's not cheap, and it's time consuming so on a retail level it's almost not worth it.

[ColdBloodedCreaturae]

Ok, I'm restarting this thread because I will be getting a 3D printer soon. What's the best plastic filament type to 3d print nests? It needs to be water resistant and strong.

[antsriondel]

If you want strength use abs but it is a toxic filament and is very expensive. If you want something that is non-toxic and cheap, use pla filament.

Edited by antsriondel, December 12 2022 - 12:30 PM.

[ColdBloodedCreaturae]

If you want strength use abs but it is a toxic filament and is very expensive. If you want something that is non-toxic and cheap, use pla filament.

ABS is very cheap.

[ColdBloodedCreaturae]

If you want strength use abs but it is a toxic filament and is very expensive. If you want something that is non-toxic and cheap, use pla filament.

I think I will go with PLA. PLA still has some toxicity but it's a MUCH smaller percentage than ABS and apparently PLA is stronger? When I get the printer, I'll test around with printing speeds and extrusion settings and all that fun stuff. But if anyone else has some filament recommendations let me know!

[UtahAnts]

PLA is safe but has been known to degrade with water contact. Perhaps engineer around that issue with alternate humidity sources.

[ColdBloodedCreaturae]

PLA is safe but has been known to degrade with water contact. Perhaps engineer around that issue with alternate humidity sources.

It's going to be hard to engineer around that since ants need humidity. Unless... What if I buy little candlelight holders and stuff them with a sponge, put a lid on it, and then drill micro hydration holes and insert that into the nest? That way it's easy to clean.

[antsriondel]

I have been testing PLA for my own ant nests and it has not degraded even after 3 months in contact with water.

[ColdBloodedCreaturae]

So, which PLA would be best? PLA+ or regular PLA?

[antsriondel]

 If you want something that is more stiff and can hold larger weights, choose PLA+. 

[ColdBloodedCreaturae]

 If you want something that is more stiff and can hold larger weights, choose PLA+. 

I'm mainly worried about the melting and warping temps of PLA. PLA I believe warps at 140F which would be a problem for heating cables.

[antsriondel]

Yeah, That is the one thing that I am currently testing, so we will see how that goes.

Edited by antsriondel, December 13 2022 - 2:59 PM.

[ColdBloodedCreaturae]

We're making MASSIVE progress for the 3D printed nests in development. Our 3D printer seems to have come defective though so we may have to return it. But we've learned a lot with this printer and we're getting very close to having found out the perfect parameters to print the nests and maintaining quality. Currently the infill is printed at 80mm per second and the outer walls are printed at 120mm per second.