【3D Printing Application】3D Printing combined with drones to eliminate pests without pesticides!
Traditional agriculture relies on spraying pesticides to eliminate pests on crops. These methods harm the environment and threaten the health of 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 spread "pheromones" in orchards. This effectively prevents agricultural products from being damaged by pests, greatly reduces pesticide consumption, and lessens the labor burden on farmers. Watch the full process here:
By spreading "pheromones," this method prevents insects from finding mates, thereby inhibiting reproduction. This process does not harm any plants or insects, making it an environmentally friendly and safe approach.
This operation must be carried out before the insect breeding season. The "Agri.Builders" team installs a quantitative amount of pheromones on drones, which then fly over designated areas to release them one by one. This not only saves labor costs but also ensures even distribution of pheromones through system calculations.
However, for drone flight alone, how can pheromones be safely loaded? The team used 3D printing technology, combined with PLA filament for 3D printing. After repeated testing and modifications, they finally designed the necessary components 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 horizontal bars and assembly parts.
(Produced using a BCN3D 3D printer, with the BCN3D Smart Cabinet for 3D filament. In addition to automatic feeding and simplified workflow, it also allows 3D printing filaments to be stored in an optimal humidity environment, improving the stability of the finished product.)
When working, drones will fly outdoors for extended periods and will inevitably be exposed to 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 hanging ring when landing. The "Agri.Builders" team chose ABS filament, specially designed for engineering, to produce the final equipment, effectively improving the system's strength and impact resistance.
Finally, to create the moving belt for the fixing device, the team utilized the wear-resistant properties of TPU filament, which has an elongation at break of up to 450%, similar to rubber. This provides high elasticity, high strength, and flexibility, making it very adaptable!
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