TerraDome : Mini Tropical Greenhouse With Arduino • Tech Projects

TerraDome is an indoor greenhouse for plants and tropical flowers shaped octagonal dome.

It is driven by an Arduino Mega that regulates temperature and lighting through different sensors and an LCD display. It also has doors to the Jurassic Park (or Jurassic World) that opens when the temperature is too high in the greenhouse.

Dimensions:50 x 50 x 45 cms

Time spent:35H (out of study)

Tools: Circular saw, ripper, drill press, miter saw, jigsaw, Dremel, hand tools …

Electronic Material :

Other:

MDF (Medium) 19 and 10mm
2.5 mm transparent polystyrene (Plexi)
PC 80mm Power Supply Fan
Heating mat for reptile 220V 7W ChenRui
Painting, hardware …

Step 1: Tinkercad 3D Model

For the octagon I used an 8-sided polygon, I added a smaller one in piercing mode and I merged the 2 to keep only the edges. Windows are “boxes” in transparent color.

Step 2: Woodworking

I used 19mm MDF for the base and 10mm for the rest.

To have an octagon with 8 equal sides, I used a website where I just entered the radius of the circle (25 cms). Which gives me sides of 20.71 cms.

I cut out the contours with the circular saw, and the internal cuts with the jigsaw.

I also made a hole of a diameter of 8 cms with a hole saw for the fan.

Step 3: Grooves for Windows

I created grooves on half the thickness of the wood to fit the windows. For that I used a Dremel with its router accessory (335).

For the roof, the windows being sloping, I used a triangle cutter with my router.

I finish with the rounding of all the edges with my router fixed under the workbench.

Step 4: Paint

I applied one layer of wood primer and 2 coats of gray paint spay.

Step 5: Cutting Windows

For the windows I used transparent polystyrene 2.5 mm thick. More resistant than glass and easy to work, it offers a beautiful transparency.

I cut it with my Dremel DSM20 which makes a clean cut without shards.

I measured the distance between the blade and the edge of the sole, I draw 2 lines on the wooden board, and I use it as a guide to cut all windows.

Step 6: Base

The windows are glued with transparent silicone, which seals at the same time.

Step 7: Roof

For the roof of the dome, I started by gluing the bottom of the windows, I held them between them with tape, and I added the top.

I then grouted all the edges and smoothed the joints with water and soap.

Step 8: Ventilation

I recovered the fan on an out of service computer power supply.

I tested it under 5V instead of 12V, the speed is low but sufficient for this use.

I soldered fine white wires that will be hidden in the window seals. The fan is then screwed onto the dome with its protective grille.

Step 9: Miscellaneous

To facilitate the opening (when watering plants for example), I installed 2 hinges at the back.

I drilled 4 holes on 10 mm deep and I cut 4 plastic tubes that will serve as feet.

Step 10: Doors

The doors are inspired by Jurassic World (or Parc).

I created a base that contains the 2 servomotors and 2 LEDs with wood chips and cleats.

The doors are made of 5 mm plywood glued to wood glue. They are operated by their axes from 0 to 90 degrees.

The orange and blue Indicators mimic those of the Jurassic Parc fence.

Step 11: Electronic: Main Unit

For the main unit I used a recovery box that I cut out to fit the display.

Of course an Arduino Mega is oversized for this project but I used what I had on hand. An Arduino Uno is enough.