【3D Printing Application】3D Printing Combined with Drones: Pest Control Without Pesticides!
Traditional agriculture often relies on spraying pesticides to eliminate crop pests. These methods not only harm the environment but also pose health risks to farmers and consumers. French agricultural innovation team "Agri.Builders" has successfully developed a biologically certified treatment method. They use 3D printing technology to create devices, and then use drones to disperse "pheromone" hormones in orchards. This effectively prevents agricultural products from pest infestation, significantly reduces pesticide consumption, and lessens the labor burden on farmers. Watch the full process here:
The main approach is to disperse "pheromone" bio-hormones, which prevent insects from finding mates and thus inhibit mating. This process causes no harm to plants or insects, making it an environmentally friendly and safe method.
This operation must be performed before the insect breeding season. The "Agri.Builders" team installs a quantitative amount of pheromone hormone on drones, which then fly over designated areas and release it one by one. This not only saves labor costs but also ensures uniform dispersion of the pheromone hormone through system calculations.
However, for drone flights alone, how can "pheromones" be safely loaded? The team used 3D printing technology with PLA filament for 3D printing. After repeated testing and modifications, they finally designed the necessary parts for the Pherodrone; as shown in the image above, the white area below the drone is the design of the device, mainly composed of three crossbars and assembled components.
(Manufactured using BCN3D 3D printers, coupled with the BCN3D Smart Cabinet for 3D filament, which not only provides automatic feeding and simplifies the workflow but also allows 3D printing filaments to be stored in an optimal humidity environment, enhancing the stability of the finished product.)
When operating, UAVs will fly outdoors for extended periods, inevitably enduring wind, sun, and rain. Therefore, mechanical properties such as waterproofing and UV resistance are crucial. The machine must also withstand its own weight and the 2 kg weight of the sling when landing. The "Agri.Builders" team chose ABS filament, designed specifically for engineering, to produce the final equipment, effectively enhancing the system's strength and impact resistance.
Finally, to create the movement belt for the fixture, the team utilized the wear-resistant properties of TPU filament, which boasts a maximum elongation of 450% and rubber-like performance, offering high elasticity, high strength, and flexibility, making it very versatile!
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