Customizable Self-Watering Planter Insert for round pots - Source included

A self-watering planter insert customizable to your pot dimensions. Prints in less than 3h and just ~40g of material.
2h 45m
1× print file
0.20 mm
0.40 mm
40.00 g
In the contest Gardening Tools
252
644
15
4715
updated August 12, 2024

Description

PDF

I wanted a self-watering planter that I could insert in my various ceramic/plastic pots and would be fast, easy and economical to print.

You can use this insert in pots you already have. Using the attached Fusion 360 file, change the parameters to suit the dimensions of your pot for a perfect fit (see the parameters screenshot).

The following 3 parameters should be adjusted for your pot to get a perfect fit:

  • Height: Measure the depth of your pot, minus a few millimetres for a cleaner look; to hide the insert below the lip
  • TopWidth: The diameter measured ~5mm below the top of your pot
  • MiddleWidth: The diameter measured ~40mm from the bottom of your pot

The other parameters have default safe values, but can be adjusted to suit your needs; You could change the depth of the base for a smaller or bigger water reservoir, or change the pouring funnel size to match your spout size.

Beware if you make the base diameter too small in relation to the middle diameter: the wall slope angle could exceed 45 degrees, which would reduce print quality due to high overhang, but should still yield a functional part since it doesn't need to be watertight!

Printing guidelines

  • Prints well in PLA and PETG. The latter might benefit from a brim depending on your bed adhesion.
  • Enable detect thin walls to avoid weird gap infill behaviour.
  • 2 perimeters.
  • The attached 3mf has External Perimeters set to 60 mm/s for a good balance of speed and quality. Remember, the insert won't be visible much and it doesn't need to be watertight, so it doesn't have to be perfect!

If you would like to contribute to this design, it could use a floating water level indicator [Someone made one here].  Or you can just listen for a change in the noise the water makes while filling; it becomes quieter when the reservoir is full.

Enjoy and please share your prints and feedback!

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Model origin

The author marked this model as their own original creation.

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