Cultivating Innovation: A Father-Son 3D Printing Project at The Edge Open Lab

Today's story highlights a unique father-son collaboration that utilised The Edge resources to solve a fascinating problem: precision irrigation. 

The journey began in the realm of academia. The son, part of a class experiment centered around plant care, identified an issue in the watering process's accuracy. The lack of precision in manual watering led him to conceive of an automated system, a thought that piqued his father's interest. 

Eager to nurture his son's creativity and curiosity, the father partnered with him to turn this idea into a tangible, functioning system. They opted for the Micro:bit, a small yet powerful programmable microcontroller, as their primary tool. By integrating a moisture sensor, the Micro:bit could detect soil moisture levels and control the pump accordingly, automating the watering process with precision. 

Their innovation didn't stop there. This duo had an ingenious addition to their irrigation system - a custom-designed shower cap to distribute the water evenly. And where better to bring this vision to life than at The Edge's Open Lab! Known for its state-of-the-art fabrication and digital resources, it was the perfect place for 3D printing their uniquely designed shower cap. 

The father-son team leveraged The Edge’s sophisticated equipment to breathe life into their creative solution. They were able to refine their 3D model, print it and attach it to the watering pump, enabling a gentle, rain-like irrigation process for their plants. 

The Edge offers remarkable opportunities for its community members to push the boundaries of conventional thinking. By nurturing creative ideas and providing access to state-of-the-art tools, The Edge and its Open Lab are cultivating innovation one project at a time.   

You can learn more about this creative due on their own blog website called “STEAM with dad” here.