Hydroponics

I am designing a new type of hydroponics tower for both DIY consumers as well as for sale as part of a consumer and/or commercial tower solution.

- To date, all towers are made starting with round plastic tubes, with holes cut in, molded in, heated in, etc (complex).
  - The taller tower on the left is an example of a DIY version of this using drain tile tubing from Home Depot. The holes were made by cutting slits, then using a heat gun and round dowels shoved in the slit to form the pocket for the net pot.
- With this new system (shorter tower on right), I want to start out with a plastic sheet good that we can cut holes into with a razor knife or die cutters, and then roll the sheet good into a tube shape
  - The shorter tower on the right is an example of a DIY version of this new design using a shower panel sheet good from Home Depot made of Recycled Polyolefin.
  - Polyolefin is inert, so it may make for a good material, but this particular product sold in Home Depot has no UV inhibitors and thus we suspect it will yellow, dry and crack sooner than we'd like.

As such, I'm looking for sheet goods in 4x8 sheets that can be manipulated like this Home Depot purchased sheet good but with UV inhibitors and confirmation that it has appropriate chemical ratings for the application.

Project Clarity: I'm currently in the material spec'ing stage of this. If a material exists, there is a larger market that will be eager to get this both in raw form and in the form of pre-die cut sheets for their own towers. There should be both a consumer and a commercial demand for these. I can imagine demand would be in the 1000's or 10,000's of sheets per month (or more) initially/eventually.

Material Requirements

Material Requirements

1. Approximately .060 to .125 " thick.
  1. It must be able to be rolled up into a 4" to 6" diamater tube at a minimum. Alternatively, it must be able to be rolled into 10" diameter tube. Larger diameter tubes may also be desired.
  2. It should be cut-able with a razor knife. After cut it shouldn't want to tear along the cut line easily.
2. Chemically inert and/or food safe
3. UV resistant

This is a label from the product used for prototyping. It is not overly relevant other than to show the material thickness and a proof of concept.

I called Parkland and they told me this product was recycled Polyolefin and it was without UV inhibitors. The retail cost on this was 4x8 sheet was around $28, but no clue how long it would last and need clarity on the nature of Polyolefin in this type of application

Production Process for Insight into Product Use

Step 1) Cut a sheet good and mark it for holes

Step 2) Cut holes with a razor knife, and roll into a tube

Cut the holes with a razor knife (not show) and then roll up into a tube shape

The 10" (diameter) version...

There is a larger version that is approximately 10" in diameter.

- This is made from a 32" x 48" piece of sheet material. (it stands 48" tall).
- No holes have been cut in the sides yet, so it looks not like it will when in use.
- It was prototyped with a pump and water (that's what is bubbling above the top rim)

The 10" (diameter) version in action

Here is a video of this running...

https://twitter.com/bryancanary70/status/1175202720451452929

"ehht material" sounds mysterious. it stands for that unknown material yet to be spec'd. (Not really. It was a typo. it was supposed to say 'sheet material')

Summary

Project Clarity: I'm currently in the material spec'ing stage of this.

- If a material exists, there is a market that will be eager to get this both in raw form and in the form of pre-die cut sheets. I'd initially/eventually expect sales in the 1000's or 10,000's of sheets per month depending on performance