Acrylic macro colonies for bumble bees
Based on this Lusebrink 2018 protocol: DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.11632.15368 Acrylic sheets: were ordered from here: https://www.estreetplastics.com/Default.asp 1) 11.75" x 19" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 3/16" Thick Cast - for printing the sides, top and bottom (the second page in the illustrator design) 2) 11.75" x 19" - Clear Acrylic Plexiglass Sheet - 1/8" Thick Cast - for printing all the rest (the first document in the illustrator design) I print my cages using Trotec Speedy 400 laser cutter - you can find this instrument (or similar) in shared work spaces like the RIVET. Usually you will be required to take a short clearance class before you start using it. The design was made using Adobe Illustrator and can be downloaded here. The first page is printed on 1/8" thick sheet and the second on 3/16". Note that a print of the two pages will give you two cages, but since I had a little bit more room, I added extra parts in both pages. Also note that the top can be closed or with a small window+lid. After you cut the pieces you will have to glue them together. Follow the instructions in the original protocol and use E6000 or E7000 glue, other types of glue will leave marks on the acrylic sheets Printing parameters for laser cutter: Choose "skip" for any color except red Under red, add the following: 100 for power, 0.45 for speed, 2000 for ppi. Number of passes - 2. Additional files: top_down_5mm.ai sides_5mm.ai back_front_3mm.ai large_cage_102522.ai |