The Modular, Printable Beehive Project
Description
Ok! Four days into the project, and I've gotten feedback from all corners on the initial two designs. I'll be back next week with an updated design. If you'd like to get more involved with the project (and I'm looking for collaborators!) just send me a private message, or leave a comment on MindToMatter.org
Most Recent Beehive Project Blog:
mindtomatter.org/category/projects/osmpbeehive-project/
Check out the feedback at reddit.com/r/Beekeeping/comments/rrng2/the_open_source_modular_printable_beehive_project/ - Beekeepers contributing!
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This design was my (initial) inspiration
hexhive.com/the-hive/
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NOTE: THIS IS A PARTIAL VERSION OF THE CURRENT BEEHIVE PROJECT BLOG POST, the whole thing won't fit here and can't have links so please see the full thing at mindtomatter.org
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The new version of the OSMPBeehive is just about ready for “primetime”, I am dubbing it 0.2 as it’s still just me getting whats in my head down in 3d without figuring out exact numbers (not parametric yet, sorry!). Looking more at Makerslide, I think that’s our support material – MakerSlide is an aluminum V rail integrated into a standard extrusion profile.
An installation would be two 4′-7′ legnths set 2′ or so in the ground, with the wheel grooves on both facing inward. Those seem pretty ideal for the type of ratcheting “insert Clean unit in the bottom, remove Full unit out the top” system I mentioned in the brainstorm post.
Without further adue, here she is!
I call it the Hivestack, the bottom unit is suspended off the ground and the bottom holes would be covered by strong wire mesh. The central nesting shaft is now gone, and the comb-templates create a sort-of library feeling with narrow corridors between the frames. I was able to increase the number of full-size frames to 6 with this configuration. The floor plate which was previously a seperate piece is now integrated into the body, each unit will nest on top of the next with little or no gap. There are still entrance holes on all four sides, but only one row per module now (two rows was a bit silly) – Also, I’ve angled the round entrance holes up at a 45 degree angle to make them easier to defend and to keep out rain. Since we got rid of the “floor” piece, that means the top unit needs a roof of some kind to keep out the weather. I havn’t put much thought into it, but when my wife saw it she said it looked like a little elf house made from a tree. Me? I’m just subconsciously emulating the Ukranians. Any ideas or clever things we should build into it?
This thing was made with Tinkercad. Edit it online
Hivestack .2 is available here, if anybody wants the .stl files they are available tinkercad.com/things/1ZluQmZ6ORE
Instructions
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Hivestack 0.2 is out with the improvements mentioned in the recent brainstorm thread
I'm terribly impressed by this concept, and at the same time I've got Eddie Izzard's "I'm covered in BEES!" routine stuck in my head.
Thanks for the compliment! The idea is very new, so just let it rattle around in your head a bit - If you come up with any questions, suggestions, or want to take a shot at putting something together in better CAD software, you are completely welcome!
Right now I'm looking for feedback on how to support/nest the modular units - I wrote a post with details and questions, here is an excerpt, if you want to read the full post
http://mindtomatter.org/2012/0...
" What about using a self-supporting frame out of a material like
Makerslide, then designing the modules to be removed from the top and loaded in from the bottom (probably some kind of ratcheting mechanism). You start the hive, the bees work their way down, and once they have the structure 75%+ full, you remove the top 50% of the modules entirely for honey retri
eval and cleaning. Then you load fresh units in from the bottom so the hive has clean expansion space again, while still having enough energy from the remaining 25% undisturbed but full-of-honey modules.
Some additional notes on efficiency with bees: All areas of comb should be quickly accessible, lots of existing designs rely on bees all coming in on one level of a hive, and then they basically climb around the internal structure until they get where they need to drop off the pollen/nectar. Since this design is round and relatively small diameter, the frequent perimeter holes let bees land wherever they are needed, drop off and head out again.
This unit is designed to be mounted on or in a tree, and thicker walls are probably better than thinner. The outer wall provides insulation for bees during hot and cold, so if you have any knowledge on materials that might be well suited for this application, I'd appreciate the input. I'm new t
o additive manufacturing with my first (printrbot) coming with the kickstarter release this month, is there a reason PLA and ABS are used to the exclusion of other materials? Or is it just availability?
While a fun cad training project, your knowledge about bees doesn't seem to even cover the bare basics. Please read a book or 2 about the biology of bees and bee colonies. And go find a beekeeping course (now is the season to start).
After that we talk about improving your design.
a few issues and questions:
* where is the beespace
* can the hive grow with the colony
* single point of entry = defense against predators and robbers
* printed comb? (ok, probably looks better in the picture, I'll assume the printed comb is just for presentation)
* propolis isn't made of honey a
nd pollen
* you want to force the colony to use propolis (vs. their own decision); how much energy is needed to harvest and process propolis.
* where are the gatherer worker bees going to meet housekeeping bees to hand off nectar with so many entrances? (pollen is stored by the gatherers themselves,
they'll find their way)
* how are you going to remove old comb?
* is the material resistant to cleaning with soda and fire?
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This is an AWESOME project! I cant wait to see and print your 1st version of the hive!
Will you be able to print this on a standard Makerbot / Ultimaker or will it need a larger printer?