PROTOTYPE EARLY AND OFTEN
We found that physical prototyping was very helpful to increase our understanding of the problem and the feasibility of our solutions. Our first prototypes were simple but useful and we continued evolving into more complex ones.
The initial design was modified after creating a prototype and consulting with the client. The proposed netting mechanism had the potential to cause issues when interacting with swarms as it could disturb the bees when acted on by the wind. Two alternative designs, shown above, were developed to address this issue. The first design featured flat poles on either side of the mechanism to guide the net down while still maintaining its shape and not disturbing the bees. The second design utilized a pulley system to lower the netting instead of relying solely on gravity. These sketches revealed the importance of having a structured netting system to prevent harm to the bees, and that the use of a pulley system may be too complex for the average user, necessitating a simpler control method.
The sketched prototypes shown above show a new design solution to pitch to our client with a different form of trapping than our original idea. After speaking to the client, they preferred this idea over the first and showed interest in us exploring different variations. When sketching potential ways for this mechanism to work we ran into problems in the way the netting would be held and how it would be stored when not in use, as well as how we could automate it without having a bottom structure that the bees could potentially form around defeating the whole purpose of the trap. We ultimately decided that this idea would be too complicated for any typical consumer to reassemble after first usage and would not provide enough ventilation for the bees due to the structure surrounding the netting.
The following sketches were created having learned from our previous prototypes; they show two variations of the same concept with the only difference being that one moves down the pole structure while the other moves up. The top mechanism shows the netting being held by a 3-D printed base that will maintain the intended shape of the net when acted on by outside forces while still providing enough ventilation reducing the possibility of any potential harm to the honeybees. After speaking with the client, we were informed of the process taken when capturing the bees and how they are deposited in a bucket/container for transport, so we took that into consideration and made the bottom structure hollow in order to give the trapped bees more space and to allow the beekeepers to easily move them from one location to another. After showing this design solution to the client they agreed with our assumption that this 3-D printed structure would be the best way to contain the bees and the trap moving down would be a lot more simple for the customers to use and reinstall to use again, but they informed us that the bees will not easily remove from the pole once it starts moving so having our structure moving down may potentially crush a small percentage of the trapped bees.
The design shown above shows a previous sketch of what will become our final product before some needed modifications. This design shows how we attempted to move the netting to the bottom structure as that will be where the bees will ultimately be captured instead made the top structure solid and placed solar panels which we were considering as our potential power source. The design also features a collapsible pole that would move the structure down with the pole and bees attached removing any harm to the bees. We also made the bottom structure flat at the bottom and added a small, treated extension to allow the structure to be screwed into a pole of any height depending on the customers' preferences. After speaking with our client, we decided to go back to the original structure design with the netting located at the top, and the bottom hollowed out, but we will now be implementing the collapsible pole in our final design. The extra extrusion at the bottom of the structure would allow the simple installation and removal of the product but one change that will be made for the final concept will be to make it able to be pulled off instead of needing to unscrew it, this would help accommodate consumers.
The most recent prototype design we have created is shown above. This design implements everything we have learned from our previous designs with the top mechanism having the netting being held by a 3-D printed structure and will have a light located on top to announce to the user when the trap has been activated. The collapsible pole will be held up by a small lock that will automatically retract to drop the trap once the weight sensor is activated. The pole will also be hollowed out to allow for all wiring to be stored. The bottom structure will be solid on the outside and hollow enough to allow a volume of about 3 gallons.
Our first physical prototype was based on our previous design which helped us gain a new insight into our project. We learned that pins would not be a viable choice for this design. For the longest time, we thought the pins would be the best system to keep the project as simple as possible. The prototype showed us that with the limited size we had it would be challenging to fit it within the pipe diameter. Furthermore, we needed to create a system that would dampen the speed at which the trap would fall. Our next prototype had to overcome these issues.
Firstly, using an actuator can make the bee trap more effective. An actuator is a mechanical device that converts energy into motion. By using an actuator in the bee trap, the mechanism can be designed to trigger the trap at the right moment, with greater speed and accuracy. This can help ensure that the bees are trapped efficiently and effectively.
Secondly, an actuator can be used to create a more humane bee trap. Traditional bee traps that use pins and gravity can cause harm or even death to the bees. This is because the bees may become trapped in the mechanism and unable to escape. With an actuator, the trap can be designed to release the bees unharmed, reducing the impact on the bee population and the environment.
Thirdly, using an actuator can provide more control over the bee trap. A well-designed actuator can be programmed to activate at specific times of day or when certain conditions are met, such as when the bee population is at its highest. This can help optimize the trap's efficiency and ensure that it is only capturing the bees that are needed, without trapping other beneficial insects.
Finally, using an actuator can reduce the need for manual intervention in the bee trap. With a pin and gravity-based trap, the mechanism may need to be manually reset or adjusted periodically. With an actuator, the trap can be designed to automatically reset itself after each use, reducing the need for human intervention and maintenance.
Using the 3d model we were able to print our Prototype in sections. we want to print in sections so we can avoid wasting filament when parts fail. Also, the parts could be printed on our 3D printers. this allows us to print faster and fix mistakes as we printed.
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