21 replies to this topic

[SpikeyOls]

'The Stump™' (prototype) - New concept product - What do you all think?   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by SpikeyOls, May 31 2018 - 8:03 AM.

[T.C.]

Well, it's definetly different, if I where you I'd print it brown, so it resembles a stump more.

[SpikeyOls]

Well, it's definetly different, if I where you I'd print it brown, so it resembles a stump more.

 

This is just a prototype, the finished product will look more like a stump, with multiple colours in it!  

[drtrmiller]

While creative, it looks like a very wasteful and inefficient use of material. The embedded nest's square edges contrast poorly with the organic, free-flowing exterior.

Edited by drtrmiller, May 31 2018 - 8:42 AM.

[SpikeyOls]

While creative, it looks like a very wasteful and inefficient use of material. The embedded nest's square edges contrast poorly with the organic, free-flowing exterior.

 

Again, this is just a prototype, the edges have just been taken from one of my pre-existing designs, the nest part will have a re-design - The product itself is printed at a very low infill rate to reduce un-needed plastic being wasted in the process, it actually doesn't contain much more plastic than one of our larger nests which are printed at a higher infill.  

[Waganga]

This is really cool! I like the artistic nature of it.

 

I'm just getting into formicarium making myself, but my medium of choice is handbuilt ceramic. Right now I'm working on a design that resembles a clay slab box with a lid, where the lid can be removed to view the ants in a formicarium inside. I like the idea of having the formicarium be inside a more mundane object like a box, because I think people are naturally curious to see what is inside a jar or box (or anything you can open). So, I really like your stump idea here for the same reason! People will be curious to see what's inside, and surprise, it's ants! 

[Mettcollsuss]

Look nice.

 

I have a question, though. How does the hydration work? I mean I know you inject water into the sponge, but how does it get to the ants? Is there a type of filament that soaks up water? Is there a basin of some sort? I would like to know, because I am working on 3-D nests myself and am looking at alternate hydration methods. I don't like hybrid nest-style hydration, because I don't want to disturb the ants too much by lifting their nest to water it.

[Skwiggledork]

You know what I think would be dope? if it was three(4 technically) separate pieces. The base with an exit to whatever outworld you put the nest in, the nest with an opening in the top and bottom, a plug for the top opening and the cover. The bottom exit would lead to the tunnel in the base allowing them into the outworld. That way you could just print/buy the nest piece and expand the nest upward to give them more nest space. No idea how hydration or telling when your colony needs to expand would work, but I like the idea.

[SpikeyOls]

Look nice.

 

I have a question, though. How does the hydration work? I mean I know you inject water into the sponge, but how does it get to the ants? Is there a type of filament that soaks up water? Is there a basin of some sort? I would like to know, because I am working on 3-D nests myself and am looking at alternate hydration methods. I don't like hybrid nest-style hydration, because I don't want to disturb the ants too much by lifting their nest to water it.

 

This nest has combination hydration, it is designed to evaporate and spread through the nest that way, and the ants can access it directly through a mesh like structure.

 

 

You know what I think would be dope? if it was three(4 technically) separate pieces. The base with an exit to whatever outworld you put the nest in, the nest with an opening in the top and bottom, a plug for the top opening and the cover. The bottom exit would lead to the tunnel in the base allowing them into the outworld. That way you could just print/buy the nest piece and expand the nest upward to give them more nest space. No idea how hydration or telling when your colony needs to expand would work, but I like the idea.

 

That is a very interesting concept - I will keep it in mind  

[Serafine]

The hydration chamber looks very very small to me. I'd rather expand it towards the outer edges of the tree and at least quadrubple it in size. Otherwise it's a nice idea although not very space-efficient (but then not every nest has to be as space-efficient as possible, in fact the new AC hybrids are pretty terrible in that regard as well).

[SpikeyOls]

The hydration chamber looks very very small to me. I'd rather expand it towards the outer edges of the tree and at least quadrubple it in size. Otherwise it's a nice idea although not very space-efficient (but then not every nest has to be as space-efficient as possible, in fact the new AC hybrids are pretty terrible in that regard as well).

 

The hydration chamber is deep, and has been tested to make sure it was suitable for this size nest, and as I have said, this is just a prototype so it will be redesigned to include larger chambers and thus a larger humidity chamber. - The nest utilises all available space within the useable limits towards the edges of the nest, the rest is printed at a very low infill to make sure that as little as possible material is wasted.  

[CoolColJ]

If you get a nice hydration system going, that can last a few weeks, I'll be inline for one

 

Also with a removeable top for easy cleaning or to get the ants to move out if needed

Edited by CoolColJ, June 3 2018 - 3:17 AM.

[SpikeyOls]

If you get a nice hydration system going, that can last a few weeks, I'll be inline for one

 

Also with a removeable top for easy cleaning or to get the ants to move out if needed

 

The hydration we are working on, and the acrylic cover is actually removable for cleaning ect - Thank you!  

[Major]

What if you made the acrylic cover magnetic (Tarheel ants style)?

[SpikeyOls]

What if you made the acrylic cover magnetic (Tarheel ants style)?

 

The acrylic cover is removable anyway, so I feel that it would just add some unnecessary work to the design - But thank you for the idea!  

[Major]

You have a potential buyer right here! How much will you sell it for once it is out of the prototype stage?

[SpikeyOls]

You have a potential buyer right here! How much will you sell it for once it is out of the prototype stage?

 

It is likely to cost between £15 - £20  

[Major]

Do you have any idea when it will become available? Dimensions?

[SpikeyOls]

Do you have any idea when it will become available? Dimensions?

 

Thank you very much for the interest! - It is likely to be available to order/pre-order at the end of this month, or the start of next month! (The dimensions will be posted along with the product)  

[Major]

Ok thanks. I'm just super interested because I have NEVER seen such an interesting formicarium. And for the price? It's a must have. Do you know how much shipping would be to Rochester, NY USA?