Assignments

Subject

As Described on my Final project page, I want to make a monitored worms composter.

First sketch

GENERAL DESIGN OPERATION

Aims of the project

I started thinking about this project 2 years ago, but have not had the opportunity to spend time and energy on it. I want to seize the opportunity of the Fabacademy to progress in the realization of a first version of the worm composter.

I separated the objectives into 2 categories those I set for my Fabacademy final project and those in the long and mid-term objectives.

Objectives for my Fabacademy final project

Long and mid-term objectives

Community

The plus2vers website is a French web platform that references worm donors and share informations and advices about worm composting.

State of art

DIY solutions

There are many DIY solutions of different shapes and using different materials. I did not find a DIY project using digital fabrication.

Here are some DIY examples:

Polystyrene tank Plastic tray Wood tray
Pictures
Link Nature obsession Nature obsession Saint-Brieuc agglomération
Strengths

Good thermal insulation

Lowcost

Easy to build and maintain

Light in weight

Porous material for a good ventilation

Good thermal insulation
Weaknesses

Esthetic

Durability

Bad thermal insulation

Holds water

Rapid deterioration

heavy

Dries faster

Cost $ $$ $$$

Commercial solutions

Commercial solutions exist at prices ranging from 65€ to 230€.

Lombric&Co Can-o-worms Wood tray
Pictures
Link Les gallinules Store Vers la terre
Strengths

Esthetic

Multifunctional

Good documentation

Wheels

Ventilation

Weaknesses On going development Bad thermal insulation Bad thermal insulation
Cost ? $$$$ $$$$

Functional prototype description

Starting a worm composter is not easy when you do not know. This requires being vigilant with inputs, especially at startup. If it is badly managed, nuisances can appear (odors, midges …). Worm composter is also vulnerable to environmental pressures, especially to temperature and humidity. To facilitate the composting process it’s necessary to provide optimum conditions.

Worm composting requirements

What will you Design

I plan to Design Everything from the Composter itself to the Electronics (inspired from the projects available i the course)

What will it do

Of course, it should allow worms to produce compost. To help the process monitoring, we wish to measure & give feedback on : - Temperature - Humidity - Moisture level

What Material will it Use

I will use Plywood for the Composter itself, but I will need some other part to get the “worm Juice” from the composter to a Tank or any liquid container.

Total (large) Estimated cost between 60€ & 80€ for everything, should be enev ledd that that.

What questions need to be answered ?

For Moisture sensor, I didn’t know what to use. I asked Neil & He advised to make a capacitive sensor with two electrodes for measuring the conductivity.

The way electronics will be made and organized was also a question, choosing between : - one single board for sensing & display, base one ATMEga considering the limits on ATTiny - Multiple ATTiny Boards using serial communication, considering it will be easier to produce and test along the Fab Academy, during the electronics input and output weeks.

Tank and reservoir could be Made or bought.

How will it be evaluated ?