Self-Watering Bottle Cork
$1.70 Self-Watering Bottle Cork
3D
Published 2019-10-14T21:20:12+00:00
A 3D printable cork for a used wine bottle filled with water to act as a self-watering system for indoor plants. There are two different sizes corks included, both designed with a small hole calibrated to release water over a period of 3 to 5 days.
The corks can be easily 3D printed, without any support, on a modern inexpensive 3D Printer. They can be printed with a variety of materials, including PLA, PETG, ABS and many other types of printable materials.
PLA works very well for this application. It is easy to print. The object(s) should be durable, easy to maintain, and last for a long time.
However, they should not be stored or kept at high temperature, exceeding ~55 C (~ 130 F).
Should the object be left in a high temperature environment, such as a parked car in the summer, I strongly recommend using another heat tolerant material, such as PETG or ABS to prevent warping.
*Note: The Black O-Rings shown in the pictures must be procured separately.
Recommended print settings with a .4 mm nozzle
- Layer Hight: .150 ~.160 mm, depending on motors and gearing
- 3 perimeters or shells (1.2 ~ 1.5 mm)
- 8 bottom layers (1.2 ~ 1.3 mm)
- 8 top layers (1.2 ~ 1.3 mm)
- Infill 15%~20%, depending on infill type
Additional items needed for assembly
- 3 O-Rings of suitable size
Instructions
1- Insert the three O-Rings in the corresponding grooves at the base of the cork.
2- Fill the used wine bottle with water.
3- Seal the wine bottle with the 3D printed cork.
4 - Dig an appropriate size and depth hole in the dirt next to the plant. The hole should be deep enough to allow the bottle to be in the dirt all the way to its shoulders.
5- Quickly invert the wine bottle and insert it in the hole. Make sure it is deep enough to be stable on its own.
Note: The size of the hole in the cork is calibrated to release water over a period of 3 to 5 days. This was done using my printer. Depending on the calibration of your printer, the actual size of the hole in the parts you print may vary. Some experimentation may be necessary to get the desired flow rate.
It is easy to bore out a slightly larger hole in the cork with a small bit. I had good success with the ~ .4 mm bits commonly sold to clean out printer nozzle. It is also possible to use a hot acupuncture needle.
Keep in mind that a very small increase in the diameter of the hole will result in a much faster flow rate.
| Date published | 14/10/2019 |
| Price | $1.70 |
| Time to do | 100 - 150 minutes |
| Material Quantity | 12 grams |
| Dimensions | 35mm X 35mm X40mm |
| Support Free | YES |