Summary

SCALE UP BY 10X This thing is a formicarium... a fancy name for the nesting enclosure for ants.

Print Settings

Printer Brand:

Robo 3D

                                            <p class="detail-setting printer"><strong>Printer: </strong>                     <div><p>R1 ABS + PLA Model</p></div></p>

Instructions

SCALE UP 10X. I forgot to set the units of conversion between the Inventor .dwg file and .stl exports. The full scale model accepts 18mm diameter test tubes for food and water, as well as moving in queen ants, stuff some cotton in the holes that are not in use. I used a piece of plexiglass to cover the top and poured slab of plaster of paris to absorb water and create humidity, about 45% of the nest is bottomless to allow contact with the plaster and create a humidity gradient in the nest. I am waiting for more workers to hatch before introducing a carpenter ant colony into the full size version. However, I printed a smaller version to house a tetramorium colony, they seem to love it!

Formicarium (Ant Farm)