Frame: Ultimate Bottom Board/Aluminum Hybrid

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Multi-View of the completed Ultimate Bottom Board/Aluminum Hybrid Frame

OVERVIEW

The Ultimate Bottom Board/Aluminum Hybrid Frame was created to offer an affordable frame solution that a person with access to some typical shop tools could utilize and duplicate. The Ultimate Bottom Board is a plastic bottom board manufactured by Anel it can be purchased direct or also from Brushy Mountain Bee Farm in the United States. The dimensions of the Ultimate Bottom Board is compatible with 10 frame Langstroth Hive dimensions only. An aluminum undercarriage was added onto the Ultimate Bottom Board that provides a secure base for load cell installation.

PRODUCTION

Production of this frame started out by removal of the black plastic feet inserts that act as small leg extensions located at each corner of the bottom board. Using a drill press a hole was drilled in the center of each of the four leg housings. This will allow for a bolt to be inserted through the bottom board to attach to an aluminum undercarriage. The supports consist of two pieces of 2"x2" aluminum angle, that will run the length of the two long sides of the bottom board. A hole was drilled in the angle to accept the bolt that will secure the bottom board to the aluminum angle. Additional holes were placed in the aluminum angle where the bolts that secure the spacers and load cells to the undercarriage. Spacers were made from flat a piece of flat aluminum bar cut into small square pieces holes were drilled through these spacers and are sandwiched between the aluminum undercarriage and the load cells.

SCALE LOCATION

HiveTool Scale: Host School TBA Shortly

DEVELOPMENT AND FABRICATION PHOTOS

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  Test drilling for wooden mold creation

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  Creation and drilling of wooden mold

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  Plastic vacuum formed hive rails arrive

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  Plastic vacuum formed hive rail

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  Removal of excess/unneeded plastic

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  Creation of aluminum undercarriage bars

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  Aluminum undercarriage bars complete

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  Installation of aluminum bars and load cells

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  Picture of the finished product - Undercarriage

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  Picture of the finished product - Topside

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  Testing of load application - Distributed

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  Testing of load application - Focused

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  Aluminum undercarriage bars complete

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  Installation of aluminum bars and load cells

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  Picture of the finished product - Undercarriage

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  Picture of the finished product - Topside

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  Testing of load application - Distributed

PARTS LIST

Available Soon!

PROS/CONS/AVAILABILITY

The vacuum formed plastic scale is currently undergoing testing for weather durability and accuracy as it is light weight and seemingly sturdy. Initially the vacuum formed scale was an option for mass production however, due to the size of the scale shipping costs may negate any cost cutting use of plastic over other light weight options with a smaller footprint.

CREATION CREDIT

David Hawa- HiveTool