I have started to plan and build a geodome greenhouse in our garden.
I’m sure it will take quite a while, but if anyone is interested, I’ll report on the progress here. Of course, I have also drawn a first model in SketchUp so that I can plan some details.
There are also plenty of opportunities to use the 3D printer again. One that is currently causing my printer to run almost constantly is the idea of including 3D printed hydroponic towers in the greenhouse. A first sample has already been printed and is currently running without plants as a humidifier in the house.
Each of the 6 different boards must have two different angles on both sides when sawing. To avoid having to measure the cross-cut saw every time, I printed 6 templates that I can use to set the saw blade and find the right angles without measuring. The length is also written on each one so that you don’t have to have a plan next to it for every cut.
The first of over 100 triangles have been built and are covered with sturdy greenhouse film. I cover each triangle individually so that water that runs between them from the outside does not come into direct contact with the wood. Do you have any comments on this procedure?
Paul from geo-dome.co.uk seems to screw 3 triangles together before applying the plastic film.
Not sure if that has to do with waterproofing or if it’s an easier workflow…
I can’t find the video where he shows that.
Third prototype for the base of the tower in the lid of a black bucket with an integrated opening for refilling the water. I also made a template to mark the openings and holes in the lid of the bucket.
I just had to print a model (again) so that I could show people who ask what our greenhouse will look like. The geometry is really fascinating and will hopefully be an eye-catcher in the garden.
Due to the mitre angles, I couldn’t simply screw the brackets onto the frame and the windows, as they would then no longer close (I tried). They can now be closed with the 3D-printed adapter brackets.
I timed it today, screwing a triangle together and sanding the edges takes a good 8 minutes and covering it with foil takes another 8 minutes. With over 100 triangles, that really adds up
(Sawing slats, screwing triangles together, … is not yet included.)
I had originally planned to use two of the triangles as doors. However, my wife is justifiably worried that not everything that needs to go into the greenhouse will fit through.
Now it is to be one of the hexagons and I had initially thought of 3D-printed adapters so that I would have to cut fewer angles for the slats, here is the design and a prototype:
Because of the longer printing time and the more difficult foil attachment due to the additional geometry, I sawed it at an angle and simply screwed it from the outside.