LED Planter
Research
Ideation
While exploring different planter designs and concepts, I like the natural and aesthetic look. I looked into multiple options in what I wanted to do for my drainage system, the best solutions were to either have a drawer of a spot to pour the water out. I also did research on ABS and its advantages and disadvantages. I discovered that ABS will be hard to bend and will be hard to shape in the different ways I want to shape it.
Development
In the making of these different cardboard models, I discovered that there are things that work, and things that do not. I like that look of the planter that looks like a plant. Its natural curves and minimalistic look make it a fetching centrepiece in any kitchen. When making the one that looks like a rectangular bucket, I realised that the top part where the lights will go, it will not be sturdy enough and it will be a restriction when wanting to water the plants. The third planter is not quite the look that I want to go for, it is not the aesthetic I want to create.
Manufacture
I started off with cutting out all the parts I needed. I wanted to get it out of the way, because it was fairly hard to cut the ABS. Then I went on to start glueing the most parts. I found that ABS is much harder to bend then I initially thought, but with the use of some clamps and brute force I manage to figure it out. After glueing everything that needed to be glued, I made a paste out of scrap parts of ABS and methylene chloride and filled in all the holes that needed to be closed. I let it dry and then I started sanding... and more sanding and more sanding. When I finally got it to a point where I was satisfied, I put my lights into place and then also planted my herbs in its selected pots.
Outcome
In-Situ Images
Project reflection paragraph:
During the making of this LED Kitchen Planter, I learned that I hate ABS plastic more than triplex. ABS Plastic is hard to work with because of the thickness and the hardness of it. It was a mission to bend and to break off in small pieces. While building it I realized that some of the ideas I had, could not actually be achieved because of the difficulties the plastic has to offer. I glued everything with methylene chloride and made a paste of left over ABS and the chloride to cover all the holes and small gaps. Now that the planter is finished, I made sure it was waterproof before putting the herbs in and watering them, to test out my drainage system. I can proudly say everything passed the test with flying colours.
