13 replies to this topic

[CJsAntStuff]

Hey all.

As the title says, this is my first 3D printed formicarium. I'm thinking of using it for either my Camp. Casteneus or my Camp Planatus.

The Casteneus are up to about 15+ workers and the planatus have a while before they're ready.

I'm already thinking about adding an expansion port to the other end of it. Maybe a bigger water reservoir.

(I just got the 3D printer at a pawn shop for $100 with 2 spools of filament. the printing is a little rough)

 

Any feed back or experience would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

 

[cooIboyJ]

The formicarium looks great! I’ve never 3D printed anything before but it looks like it will work well. I would just be careful that there are no cracks between the top of the formicarium and the glass. Besides that it looks like it wouldn’t have any problems.

Also I’m pretty sure that you are not supposed to abbreviate Camponotus casteneus as camp. casteneus. You are supposed to spell it out once and then you abbreviate it as C casteneus.

Edited by cooIboyJ, August 19 2024 - 6:27 AM.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

I have 3d printed formicariums before and It is best if you would make the sides smoother so it reduces mold growth and add substrate or grout on top of it so it is less slippery for ants, also did you use PLA or PETG to make it?

[Stubyvast]

Yep definitely use PLA or PTEG, as those are both safe and naturally-based ingredients that ants can handle.

Great job! Did you model this yourself? Looks nice!

Likely the problem with the slightly messy printing is that the filament is being extruded too close to the base, making it get messy and squished, and also potentially damaging the printer. Depending on what 3d printing software you are using (like Cura, for example), you may want to solve this problem in the settings, either on the printer itself, or the software. Fade height is one these settings. Another thing to do is adjust the plate height (where the 3d printed object is printed) to be lower, which sometimes involves screwing it down tighter with an Allen key or screwdriver. Finally, you can try to "realign Z axis" and "bed level" which I think may be a setting on your 3d printer as well. Personally, I use a pretty old printer, (an ancient Lulzbot Mini 2) so you may need to seek help for your specific model. 

I'd probably google "how to stop 3d printer from extruding too close to the build plate" or something like that, for more specific help on your particular model. 

Hope this helps!

 

Edit: I asked my dad about this after I sent this, and he said it could also just be the quality of the printer. If so, then there's just not much you can do.

Edited by Stubyvast, August 19 2024 - 4:35 PM.

[CJsAntStuff]

I have 3d printed formicariums before and It is best if you would make the sides smoother so it reduces mold growth and add substrate or grout on top of it so it is less slippery for ants, also did you use PLA or PETG to make it?

I used PLA. The print quality is something I'm working on. I'm sure this printer has a million miles on it and probably a few hits. I've also noticed that the different colors seem to melt and set up a little differently. This brown is not fantastic.

I'm sure it's tight enough for carpenter ants. I might need to silicone it for smaller ones.

Thanks.

[CJsAntStuff]

Yep definitely use PLA or PTEG, as those are both safe and naturally-based ingredients that ants can handle.

Great job! Did you model this yourself? Looks nice!

Likely the problem with the slightly messy printing is that the filament is being extruded too close to the base, making it get messy and squished, and also potentially damaging the printer. Depending on what 3d printing software you are using (like Cura, for example), you may want to solve this problem in the settings, either on the printer itself, or the software. Fade height is one these settings. Another thing to do is adjust the plate height (where the 3d printed object is printed) to be lower, which sometimes involves screwing it down tighter with an Allen key or screwdriver. Finally, you can try to "realign Z axis" and "bed level" which I think may be a setting on your 3d printer as well. Personally, I use a pretty old printer, (an ancient Lulzbot Mini 2) so you may need to seek help for your specific model. 

I'd probably google "how to stop 3d printer from extruding too close to the build plate" or something like that, for more specific help on your particular model. 

Hope this helps!

 

Edit: I asked my dad about this after I sent this, and he said it could also just be the quality of the printer. If so, then there's just not much you can do.

I used PLA. The printer is and Ender 3 Pro. I'm sure this printer is old and beat up but does not have any mods yet. I've also noticed that this brown doesn't seem to melt and set as nice as other colors.

I usually watch the printer for the first 4 or 5 layers and fine tune it as I can see the first couple layers go down. I'm already thinking about my next printer lol.

I drew it up myself with Free CAD. Thanks.

[ANTdrew]

Line the bottom of the chambers with some gypsum based plaster for better absorption. Press sand into the plaster while it is still wet.

[RushmoreAnts]

That looks amazing! You could start a business once you perfect the design.

[CJsAntStuff]

Line the bottom of the chambers with some gypsum based plaster for better absorption. Press sand into the plaster while it is still wet.

I'll do that. Thanks.

[CJsAntStuff]

That looks amazing! You could start a business once you perfect the design.

Thanks. I already know I'll be buying a better 3D printer. I'm also a carpenter/wood worker by trade. I have tools and am looking at other materials. Maybe someday I'll sell them.

[Stubyvast]

 

Yep definitely use PLA or PTEG, as those are both safe and naturally-based ingredients that ants can handle.

Great job! Did you model this yourself? Looks nice!

Likely the problem with the slightly messy printing is that the filament is being extruded too close to the base, making it get messy and squished, and also potentially damaging the printer. Depending on what 3d printing software you are using (like Cura, for example), you may want to solve this problem in the settings, either on the printer itself, or the software. Fade height is one these settings. Another thing to do is adjust the plate height (where the 3d printed object is printed) to be lower, which sometimes involves screwing it down tighter with an Allen key or screwdriver. Finally, you can try to "realign Z axis" and "bed level" which I think may be a setting on your 3d printer as well. Personally, I use a pretty old printer, (an ancient Lulzbot Mini 2) so you may need to seek help for your specific model. 

I'd probably google "how to stop 3d printer from extruding too close to the build plate" or something like that, for more specific help on your particular model. 

Hope this helps!

 

Edit: I asked my dad about this after I sent this, and he said it could also just be the quality of the printer. If so, then there's just not much you can do.

I used PLA. The printer is and Ender 3 Pro. I'm sure this printer is old and beat up but does not have any mods yet. I've also noticed that this brown doesn't seem to melt and set as nice as other colors.

I usually watch the printer for the first 4 or 5 layers and fine tune it as I can see the first couple layers go down. I'm already thinking about my next printer lol.

I drew it up myself with Free CAD. Thanks.

 

Okay nice! Yah Ender 3's a good model, as far as I know. Age could be the problem, as you said. Yep checking each layer is a great idea. Weird thing with the colours! I bet it's the type of die used in the plastic that affects the quality. 

 

 

That looks amazing! You could start a business once you perfect the design.

Thanks. I already know I'll be buying a better 3D printer. I'm also a carpenter/wood worker by trade. I have tools and am looking at other materials. Maybe someday I'll sell them.

 

YEESSS start a business! Good modelling work! I personally use Blender (which can get very complicated and is not great for CAD) and hope to improve my own CAD skills.

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

 

 

Yep definitely use PLA or PTEG, as those are both safe and naturally-based ingredients that ants can handle.

Great job! Did you model this yourself? Looks nice!

Likely the problem with the slightly messy printing is that the filament is being extruded too close to the base, making it get messy and squished, and also potentially damaging the printer. Depending on what 3d printing software you are using (like Cura, for example), you may want to solve this problem in the settings, either on the printer itself, or the software. Fade height is one these settings. Another thing to do is adjust the plate height (where the 3d printed object is printed) to be lower, which sometimes involves screwing it down tighter with an Allen key or screwdriver. Finally, you can try to "realign Z axis" and "bed level" which I think may be a setting on your 3d printer as well. Personally, I use a pretty old printer, (an ancient Lulzbot Mini 2) so you may need to seek help for your specific model. 

I'd probably google "how to stop 3d printer from extruding too close to the build plate" or something like that, for more specific help on your particular model. 

Hope this helps!

 

Edit: I asked my dad about this after I sent this, and he said it could also just be the quality of the printer. If so, then there's just not much you can do.

I used PLA. The printer is and Ender 3 Pro. I'm sure this printer is old and beat up but does not have any mods yet. I've also noticed that this brown doesn't seem to melt and set as nice as other colors.

I usually watch the printer for the first 4 or 5 layers and fine tune it as I can see the first couple layers go down. I'm already thinking about my next printer lol.

I drew it up myself with Free CAD. Thanks.

 

Okay nice! Yah Ender 3's a good model, as far as I know. Age could be the problem, as you said. Yep checking each layer is a great idea. Weird thing with the colours! I bet it's the type of die used in the plastic that affects the quality. 

 

 

That looks amazing! You could start a business once you perfect the design.

Thanks. I already know I'll be buying a better 3D printer. I'm also a carpenter/wood worker by trade. I have tools and am looking at other materials. Maybe someday I'll sell them.

 

YEESSS start a business! Good modelling work! I personally use Blender (which can get very complicated and is not great for CAD) and hope to improve my own CAD skills.

 

me too i use blender, It is a really good software, for the printer I use Anykubic kobra2 Pro, I think it is a really good 3d printer and gets the job done and It is big so I can print large nests

[Stubyvast]

 

 

 

Yep definitely use PLA or PTEG, as those are both safe and naturally-based ingredients that ants can handle.

Great job! Did you model this yourself? Looks nice!

Likely the problem with the slightly messy printing is that the filament is being extruded too close to the base, making it get messy and squished, and also potentially damaging the printer. Depending on what 3d printing software you are using (like Cura, for example), you may want to solve this problem in the settings, either on the printer itself, or the software. Fade height is one these settings. Another thing to do is adjust the plate height (where the 3d printed object is printed) to be lower, which sometimes involves screwing it down tighter with an Allen key or screwdriver. Finally, you can try to "realign Z axis" and "bed level" which I think may be a setting on your 3d printer as well. Personally, I use a pretty old printer, (an ancient Lulzbot Mini 2) so you may need to seek help for your specific model. 

I'd probably google "how to stop 3d printer from extruding too close to the build plate" or something like that, for more specific help on your particular model. 

Hope this helps!

 

Edit: I asked my dad about this after I sent this, and he said it could also just be the quality of the printer. If so, then there's just not much you can do.

I used PLA. The printer is and Ender 3 Pro. I'm sure this printer is old and beat up but does not have any mods yet. I've also noticed that this brown doesn't seem to melt and set as nice as other colors.

I usually watch the printer for the first 4 or 5 layers and fine tune it as I can see the first couple layers go down. I'm already thinking about my next printer lol.

I drew it up myself with Free CAD. Thanks.

 

Okay nice! Yah Ender 3's a good model, as far as I know. Age could be the problem, as you said. Yep checking each layer is a great idea. Weird thing with the colours! I bet it's the type of die used in the plastic that affects the quality. 

 

 

That looks amazing! You could start a business once you perfect the design.

Thanks. I already know I'll be buying a better 3D printer. I'm also a carpenter/wood worker by trade. I have tools and am looking at other materials. Maybe someday I'll sell them.

 

YEESSS start a business! Good modelling work! I personally use Blender (which can get very complicated and is not great for CAD) and hope to improve my own CAD skills.

 

me too i use blender, It is a really good software, for the printer I use Anykubic kobra2 Pro, I think it is a really good 3d printer and gets the job done and It is big so I can print large nests

 

Quotes upon quotes upon quotes!

YESS so nice to know another Blender fan! I love the ability to create keyframes and animations in Blender. Me and my friends built a very short film with lego characters with it. Awesome stuff, planning to create a render farm for more films in the future! Also the modelling, you gotta love the way Blender puts it all together. So many features, I still haven't explored them all (I doubt that's even possible)!

Nice! Anycubic! Jealous man, my printer is so outdated. 

[OwlThatLikesAnts]

Yep definitely use PLA or PTEG, as those are both safe and naturally-based ingredients that ants can handle.
Great job! Did you model this yourself? Looks nice!
Likely the problem with the slightly messy printing is that the filament is being extruded too close to the base, making it get messy and squished, and also potentially damaging the printer. Depending on what 3d printing software you are using (like Cura, for example), you may want to solve this problem in the settings, either on the printer itself, or the software. Fade height is one these settings. Another thing to do is adjust the plate height (where the 3d printed object is printed) to be lower, which sometimes involves screwing it down tighter with an Allen key or screwdriver. Finally, you can try to "realign Z axis" and "bed level" which I think may be a setting on your 3d printer as well. Personally, I use a pretty old printer, (an ancient Lulzbot Mini 2) so you may need to seek help for your specific model. 
I'd probably google "how to stop 3d printer from extruding too close to the build plate" or something like that, for more specific help on your particular model. 
Hope this helps!
 
Edit: I asked my dad about this after I sent this, and he said it could also just be the quality of the printer. If so, then there's just not much you can do.

I used PLA. The printer is and Ender 3 Pro. I'm sure this printer is old and beat up but does not have any mods yet. I've also noticed that this brown doesn't seem to melt and set as nice as other colors.
I usually watch the printer for the first 4 or 5 layers and fine tune it as I can see the first couple layers go down. I'm already thinking about my next printer lol.
I drew it up myself with Free CAD. Thanks.

Okay nice! Yah Ender 3's a good model, as far as I know. Age could be the problem, as you said. Yep checking each layer is a great idea. Weird thing with the colours! I bet it's the type of die used in the plastic that affects the quality. 
 

That looks amazing! You could start a business once you perfect the design.

Thanks. I already know I'll be buying a better 3D printer. I'm also a carpenter/wood worker by trade. I have tools and am looking at other materials. Maybe someday I'll sell them.

YEESSS start a business! Good modelling work! I personally use Blender (which can get very complicated and is not great for CAD) and hope to improve my own CAD skills.

me too i use blender, It is a really good software, for the printer I use Anykubic kobra2 Pro, I think it is a really good 3d printer and gets the job done and It is big so I can print large nests

Quotes upon quotes upon quotes!
YESS so nice to know another Blender fan! I love the ability to create keyframes and animations in Blender. Me and my friends built a very short film with lego characters with it. Awesome stuff, planning to create a render farm for more films in the future! Also the modelling, you gotta love the way Blender puts it all together. So many features, I still haven't explored them all (I doubt that's even possible)!
Nice! Anycubic! Jealous man, my printer is so outdated.

MOAR QUOTES
What printer do you have? I find that the hotbed of Anycubic has no problems with adhesion and it it is actually fast like they say and the print quality is good if you know how to use the slicer
I am still new to blender and I learn a new thing and I forget it immediately, l’m still tinkering with the Boolean thing and any other tool is to complexe for me now