Ant Fort
The Ant Fort is a formicarium designed to be constructed from laser-cut acrylic. The intention is to follow a modular design so that a colony can be easily extended as it grows.
Modules
Small nest
- Chambers for a small colony.
- Hydration provided by cotton wool accessed via channel.
V1 is pictured.
Module Specifications
- Modules are composed from 5 layers:
- A base layer, 5mm thick, (black used here).
- A floor layer, 5mm thick, (white used here).
- Two wall layers, each 5mm thick (white used here).
- Clear acrylic top, 3mm thick.
- Size: Module size should be an integer multiple of 80mm. For example, the smallest module is 80x80mm.
- Fasteners: Layers are held together by M5 nuts and bolts. The holes are 5mm diameter. The hole centres are located 7.5mm from the edge, with a horizontal/vertical separation between holes of 65mm.
- Ventilation: Grids of 0.5mm diameter holes.
- Adjustment tabs, e.g. for sliding doors. Protrusion should stand 5mm clear of the clear acrylic layer.
Connector specifications
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The connector block is made from a 'sandwich' of 4 layers:
- A: rectangle, 3mm thick. Barrier is 14mm wide x 18mm tall.
- B: rectangle, 3mm thick. Barrier is 10mm wide x 13mm tall.
- C: rectangle, 3mm thick. Barrier is 10mm wide x 13mm tall.
- D: rectangle, 3mm thick. Barrier is 14mm wide x 18mm tall. Added grip/insertion.
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A hole is cut through the pieces to allow passage.
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A 'blank' piece can be made by taking layers C&D and removing the hole.
File specifications
- Saved in SVG format (inkscape).
- The output files are the format required for manufacture @ RazorLabs (a UK supplier).