3D technology is transforming traditional trades, and the shellfish gatherer is no exception. From more efficient collection tools to the restoration of marine habitats, additive manufacturing offers concrete solutions for a job that depends on knowledge of the coastline and patience. This is not science fiction, but rather adapting available resources to the day-to-day needs of the coast.
Creation of custom pots with parametric design 🦀
A practical example is the design of shellfish pots, such as those used to catch velvet crabs or spider crabs. With software like Fusion 360 or FreeCAD, the shellfish gatherer can model a pot with exact measurements for a specific fishing ground, adjusting the mesh size or the shape of the entrance. It is then printed in PETG or PLA reinforced with carbon fiber to resist salt corrosion. This avoids relying on generic suppliers and allows broken parts to be repaired in the same port with a desktop 3D printer.
When the crab laughs at your printed pot 😅
Of course, not everything is an immediate success. The first time you print a pot, the smartest crab on the sandbank looks at you with disdain as it escapes through a hole you forgot to seal in the design. Or worse: the PLA disintegrates in saltwater after two hours, and you're left with a bunch of filament stuck to the rocks. But hey, at least your pot is unique in the world, even if it only serves to decorate your backyard.