QX-12 MAGA SEED STARTER

thingiverse

QX12-MAGA Seed Starter Make Agriculture Green Again This seed starter pack leverages the biodegradable nature of PLA to create an eco-friendly growing solution. The ultra-thin Seed Holders feature slots that allow roots to grow through, and as they break down in the soil, gardeners can simply transfer seedlings into the ground without disrupting their growth. By composting PLA, you'll need higher temperatures than typical home composting methods; however, with patience, you can achieve a quick breakdown of PLA. I've had success using outdoor composting methods to degrade PLA objects within three months. Microorganisms play a crucial role in breaking down starches and finishing the job. Let's put this theory into practice! As of July 28, 2017, I've successfully transferred seedlings and cells into the ground. In three months, I'll inspect one of the units to assess PLA breakdown. My goal is to have the cells break down within a single six-month growing season in a USDA 6A climate. If you're willing to create a six-pack and share your observations, please let me know! There's a notch on each cell; if it doesn't fit all the way down, try rotating it 90 degrees. This will help you align subsequent cells without guesswork. I've noticed some issues when printing multiple cells at once – weird missing spots in the print. However, feel free to experiment and find your own optimal settings. The BASE UNIT holds six seedling cells, featuring a "well" for root feeding. By flooding the plants for 20 minutes and then using a turkey-baster to draw out excess water, you can prevent over-saturation. Channels on the base floor ensure even distribution of water to all cells. The top of these channels are angled at 45 degrees, eliminating the need for supports during printing. I've designed the bases using PLA but plan to experiment with more durable materials like ABS for future reusability. Simply print additional PLA seed cells for next season's growth. I created the Bodies in FUSION 360 and exported them as separate STEP files for manipulation in a CAD environment. Feel free to explore, and let's Make America Grow Again – one Thingiverse project at a time! Here are my printing settings: * Sliced and coded using ReplicatorG with 2 shells (3 total) employing PLA * FlashForge Creator Pro (similar to Makerbot Replicator 2) * Heated Bed: 45 Celsius * Blue Painters Tape on bed, no further treatment * Print Temperature: 220 degrees Celsius * No rafts for PLA; use supports if needed * Feedrate: 40 mm/s * Travel Feedrate: 55 If you have more optimal feedrates to share, please let me know! REQUEST: Help me improve my sharing! STEP files have worked well for me; however, if they're a problem for you, please let me know what other common CAD formats you prefer.