DESIGN, TOPOLOGY OPTIMISATION AND ANALYSIS OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTED STINGLESS BEEHIVE BOX

Abstract

Using a traditional wooden compartment to house a hive for stingless bees presents numerous challenges. Among these issues, one significant concern arises from the gradual decay of the enclosure structure due to temperature fluctuations, forming holes. The wooden compartment is vulnerable to pests that risking potential failure and producing mouldy beehives. Besides, beekeepers face challenges in harvesting honey due to the heavy weight of the compartment and inadequate cover used. The objective of the study was to design a new stingless beehive box using three-dimensional printing method with topologically optimised features to solve the aforesaid problems. This involved the collection of primary and secondary data through methods such as observation, interviews, and the examination of journal articles. The study then progressed through a series of stages, including the conceptualisation of design ideas, the creation of three-dimensional models, prototype fabrication, numerical analysis, and thorough usability testing. Our results indicated that the proposed stingless hive box design is considered satisfactory, given the incorporation of attributes such as materials with minimal deterioration and increased resistance to pests, a lightweight and low-cost design, user-friendliness, and efficiency in the harvesting process of the honey due to its two-layer structure and improved cover, and appealing aesthetic design. To further enhance the functionality of the box for accommodating the stingless beehive, additional refinements may be warranted.