DIY (3D Printed) Air Layering Root Pod

[AndrewB]

I'm still new to the world of air layering, but I have come up with a low-cost 3D printed design that I think will work.

If anyone reading this owns a 3D printer or has access to one at their local library, I would like others to test my design.


A family friend owns a u-pick farm accross town and has been experimenting with these with no success:

https://www.amazon.com/Reusable-High-Pressure-Propagation-Grafting-Air-Layering/dp/B08RY539QQ?th=1



I have bought these and they look to be better, but are a bit pricey:

https://www.amazon.com/Root-Pods-Gardener-Kit-grey/dp/B07DH7Z3M2?th=1



My cheap-ish 3D printed design is based on the one above and uses these:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01GDPCS96



My CAD design is being attached below as a txt file. Just rename the file .scad and open it with OpenSCAD, a free and open source, cross platform, cad program. You can then render and export the design in 3MF or STL format.

Please let me know what you think.

[Tim DH]

Hi Andrew,
   Nice idea. ... I like the integration of the Neoprene collars.
   I've been sorely tempted to get a 3D printer, to advance my candle mould creation repertoire. BUT it will have to wait until (at least) this Autumn, because I know a HEAP BIG rabbit hole when I see it!

   Good Luck and have fun!

Tim DH

[Adrian]

Hi Andrew
Good idea!
I use solidworks but i don't have 3D printer!

What do you want cut?
I have may a small idea! I will work in!
Moulding is interessant
Can i download this on solidworks?
Why use neoprene? Sand is not less expensive and more adaptative at differents diameters of rods?
I know neoprene has neutral ph and sand is acid.
It may until for the stratification of the hard woods.

[AndrewB]

Hi Andrew
Good idea!
I use solidworks but i don't have 3D printer!

Can i download this on solidworks?

Yes, here is the solidworks model. It should be fixed to fit the neoprene, but the tabs may need to be adjusted to your liking. Just a proof of concept at this point in time. Feedback is welcome.

https://www.3dcontentcentral.com/parts/download-Part.aspx?id=1782884&catalogid=171

[AndrewB]

Hi Andrew,
   Nice idea. ... I like the integration of the Neoprene collars.
   I've been sorely tempted to get a 3D printer, to advance my candle mould creation repertoire. BUT it will have to wait until (at least) this Autumn, because I know a HEAP BIG rabbit hole when I see it!

   Good Luck and have fun!

Tim DH

Thanks. If you do get a 3D printer I personally recommend getting a PRUSA. I have a Prusa Mini and it works great, just wish sometimes it was bigger, but has NEVER given me issues. You can buy it directly from the company or if you wish to save some money there are cheaper clones on Aliexpress. Probably best to just buy the first one from the company to guarantee success and support, but up to you. It is indeed a big rabbit hole, but it can open up so many possibilities! I've fixed many things around the house that I wouldn't have been able to buy a replacement part for, and creating a design from scratch is very satisfying!

[Adrian]

What do you think to replace neoprene by a porous material as rockwool?
My idea is to add a hole for connected a water dripper for have cutting irrigated more long time.
https://www.castorama.fr/10-goutteurs-auto-regulants-4l/h/8000625912223_CAFR.prd?storeId=1418&gclid=Cj0KCQjwspKUBhCvARIsAB2IYusLJhTCmUkkQR1JoNHg8HbDKxbYuBG9icV6LWMug7uPdJOkN6AGetsaAg4iEALw_wcB

[Adrian]

What do you think of this idea Andrew for watered the cutting?

[AndrewB]

Hi Adrian,

It certainly is an interesting design idea.

My original design is meant to cut down cost and complexity, so if another design meets those criteria, then I'm all for it. The original design is meant to passively hold in moisture and the neoprene sleeves are cheap and easy to use and should help create a tight seal to lock in moisture.

Rockwool might be interesting for a drip system, but I have only ever seen them sold in tall, angled cubes, and I'm not sure the geometry of those would lend well to a design like this, unless you plan on changing their shape. But a drip design is interesting. One problem with some of the other designs is that they lose water too easily and dry out, so a drip system might theoretically work better in that regard and have a higher success rate.

I do not currently have any equipment for drip irrigation, so for me, and at this time, that adds undesired complexity and cost. However, if you think the drip design would work well for you and you have the equipment to try it out, then by all means test it out and report back later.

[Adrian]

A plastic bottle is sufficient!
She can stock the water!
Do a hole in the cork.
And turn again the bottle.


A great problem is that it exist differents diameters of pipe.
I can put muff with hole of differents diameters and probably diameter of botter cork.
Everibody has a bottle!

[AndrewB]

I hadn't thought about a bottle! hmm... I'll have to give that more thought then. Thanks for sharing.

[Ocimum]

What is the advantage of boxes compared to plastic bag tubes, with a string on top and at the bottom?

Even if the plastic bag is disposable, you would use 100 time less of it.

[Adrian]

[Adrian]

My system is previous for connected pipe od 5,5mm
https://ptfetubeshop.com/fr/product/tuyau-en-ptfe-4mm-x-55mm/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw-JyUBhCuARIsANUqQ_Kvc2Cg1N24-34M_uJgHRDARRpzZeR5GtA08S6WP9abLMKOJRD4A8EaAp5KEALw_wcB



I have a new idea for glide bottle with differents diameters of bottleneck and a pipe of 5,5 mm.

[Adrian]

I had an idea!
With this system we can put pipe of 5,5mm or a bottle with differents corks diameters or watered the cylindar surface.