{"id":1807,"date":"2025-02-18T11:29:24","date_gmt":"2025-02-18T16:29:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/?p=1807"},"modified":"2026-02-11T18:16:12","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T23:16:12","slug":"bug-off-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sites.williams.edu\/makerspace\/projects\/bug-off-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Bug Off! (Part 2)"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Journey of the Beetle Device Project<\/h2>\n
\"First<\/a>

First Complete Print of Beetle Device<\/p><\/div>\n

At the heart of Williams College lies the vibrant Community Garden, a space teeming with life. However, like any thriving garden, it faces its share of challenges. Among the most persistent is the Japanese beetle, notorious for its appetite for raspberry bushes, which poses a significant threat to the garden’s yield. Enter the Beetle Device Project, a collaborative initiative with the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives, aimed at developing a sustainable, non-toxic solution to mitigate beetle damage.<\/span><\/p>\n

From Concept to Creation: Addressing Material Challenges<\/h2>\n

Last spring, the project was conceptualized with the goal of designing a device to safely repel Japanese beetles. The initial team <\/span>implemented the first iteration<\/span><\/a> of a 3D printed model, but the primary challenge lay in identifying the right material for production. Standard filaments like PLA proved unsuitable due to their porous nature and limited durability in outdoor conditions. With the acquisition of a <\/span>BOFA air filter<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>protective enclosures<\/span><\/a> for the 3D printers, the team unlocked the potential of printing with ASA filament\u2014a robust, nonporous material ideally suited for the task.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Science Behind ASA and Its Potential<\/h2>\n

ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) filament is a game-changer in 3D printing. Its unique properties make ASA an exceptional material for projects requiring durability: its resistance to UV light, moisture, and heat ensures that the Beetle Device can withstand outdoor elements. Understanding the science behind ASA has reinforced its suitability for this project and opened new possibilities for future initiatives involving durable, nonporous materials. <\/span><\/p>\n

Overcoming Technical Hurdles<\/h2>\n

Because this is the Makerspace\u2019s first time working with ASA, the following challenges had to be addressed:<\/span><\/p>\n