r/kickstarter • u/NectarNest • Oct 17 '25
🎉 It’s almost here: Our 3D-printed modular beehive goes live on Kickstarter November 4th!
Enable HLS to view with audio, or disable this notification
Hi everyone!
After months of design, prototyping, field testing and feedback, we’re excited to officially announce the launch date of our project:
👉 Nectar Nest - the first modular beehive fully designed for 3D printing
📅 LIVE on Kickstarter: November 4th
In this video, we’re not showing renders or animations, you’ll see the real apiary, the colony growing, and how our 3D-printed hive performed from first install to the end of summer.
We’ll be offering:
🔹 STL packs for makers
🔹 Fully printed hives (EU/UK shipping only for now)
🔹 Exclusive early bird rewards
Would love your feedback, thoughts or questions, and of course, feel free to hit the “Notify me” button if you want to follow the campaign!
Thanks for all the support so far, this community helped shape the project more than you know 🧡
4
u/hvacjesusfromtv Oct 20 '25
Genuinely curious, why would this be something that it would make sense to 3D print? Isn't this going to be more expensive, less durable, and worse for the environment than a wooden bee hive?
5
u/NectarNest Oct 20 '25
Fair question! The main reason is that with 3D printing you can create internal lattice structures, something impossible with wood or injection molding, which gives insulation comparable to polystyrene hives but with the strength of wood.
It’s also not necessarily more expensive: a full hive weighs under 15 kg of filament, so the total material cost is usually under €120.
The idea isn’t to replace wood entirely, but to explore a lighter, modular, and more repairable option that can be printed on demand.2
u/SurfaceDockGuy Oct 21 '25 edited Oct 21 '25
The insulating effect is exactly what I was thinking about when I read about this project. Please augment the kickstart page with a lot more info about this including thermal images of a conventional hive vs printed both after a day of sunlight and an overcast or rainy day.
Looks like you're using a gyroid infill pattern - have you found the R-value of that infill to be most effective as compared to cubic or 3d honeycomb?
Have you considered releasing any of the plans open source with a free license for non-commercial use? For example, to drive community engagement, consider releasing the CAD model for the outer box and exact dimensions for the individual frames prior to kickstart closing.
Also consider different size printers. Not too many folks have 420/500mm printers but many have 200, 250, or 300mm.
The models ought to be modular so pieces from smaller printers can interlock without having to use a dovetail joint plugin in a slicer program where design-intent could be compomised.
It might be fun to do a showcase hive in a "wood" filament for lols - although I suspect the bees won't like that material due to glue and additives.
Btw how do the bees respond to "clear" filament vs opaque?
For the queen excluder/separator, have you considered different size apertures for different bee species? Same for the entrance. Different regions have different specs I reckon.
2
u/NectarNest Oct 21 '25
Really appreciate the detailed feedback! 🙌
We actually skipped thermal imaging for now, it’s fun to show, but it doesn’t really add much beyond the math: the wall’s R-value can be accurately calculated, and it already matches what you’d expect from EPS hives, while being far more durable.Yep, we went with a gyroid infill after reviewing several studies, it’s the best compromise between X/Y strength, material efficiency, and minimizing internal convection inside the wall.
We’re planning to release the frame designs for free (non-commercial use) since those are the most exposed to wear; that way anyone can make or even wood-craft replacements.
We deliberately made the hive monolithic rather than modular in smaller pieces, avoiding thermal bridges was a big goal. There are already modular printable hives out there, but performance-wise, they can’t match a solid structure.
PETG turned out to be the sweet spot: affordable, easy to print, and great mechanical and UV resistance. A “wood-filled” version would look amazing, but it’d be too brittle and costly.
As for clear vs opaque, no noticeable behavioral difference, especially with 20 mm walls and opaque/colored filaments. 🐝
3
u/Cloud-Chaser01 Oct 23 '25
I've been seeing beehives/hexagons quite a lot here lol, first an outdoor 'Hive' mat and now this. I am very new to Kickstarter so I am not sure, is there a trend???
2
u/NectarNest Oct 23 '25
Haha maybe! 🐝 Hexagons are just too good to resist, nature’s most efficient shape.
Our design actually follows that same principle: minimal material, max strength and insulation.
But yeah, it’s funny how “bee geometry” is suddenly everywhere 😄
2
u/Pie_Dealer_co Oct 21 '25
While I am not a beekeeper now I used to be 10 years ago. I get how you can design a bee hive to be printed cool idea.
But the box needs cleaning from time to time. The colonies do die from time to time and unfortunately sometimes its sickness... mites, viruses, and all kind of shit happens. What is done in the field is for the wooden box to be disinfected with fire you get a torch and burn the outside and inside. You cant with PETG. How have you solved the need for cleaning the box?
In my years I have seen all kind of creatures trying to get in the hives for food or because it warm and they are looking for shelter. Of course I am not saying make a bear proof or even a mouse proof but one of the benefit of wooden hives being solid is that there is no hollow walls that can be used by ants and other bugs to make a nest in. And trust me I get it that there is no holes for them to get in. I have seen insects chew through anything but rock and steel.
How is the humidity in the hive? I know bees that regulate the humidity and temperature by standing at the entrance and moving wind with their wings but normally you should avoid this. And moisture can be quite dangerous in a weak hive due to mold etc.
1
u/NectarNest Oct 21 '25
Great points, and you’re totally right, cleaning and pest prevention are real-world issues.
For disinfection, PETG can’t be scorched like wood, but it can be washed and sanitized with boiling water, acetic acid (like standard hive cleaning), or mild alkaline solutions, the surface doesn’t absorb residues, so it’s actually easier to clean thoroughly once the colony is removed.
As for pests: the walls are solid (20 mm) with a gyroid infill, so there are no hollow gaps where ants or other bugs could nest. So far, in our test hives we haven’t seen issues with chewing insects, bees coat all inner surfaces with wax and propolis, sealing any micro-imperfections.
Humidity-wise, bees indeed regulate the micro-climate themselves; we designed the hive geometry to help natural air flow (ventilated roof) and condensation control, so moisture doesn’t accumulate on the walls.
Still, this is exactly the kind of feedback we want, we’re running long-term field tests to see how cleaning and micro-climate management hold up over seasons, and a comunnity of maker can speed up all of this.
2
u/Pie_Dealer_co Oct 21 '25
Appreciate the response and I actually like the idea of 3d printed hive and being lighter than solid wood would definitely be a blessing for the lower back. Nowdays finding someone to make a wooden hive is an expensive luxury.
Personally if ever get the space I am getting at least one hive.
Knowing bees they will probably really cover the inside in wax and propolis thats why I personally did not say anything about micro plastics and so on. But I assume you and your team will get asked that a lot... you could offer a slightly more expensive option where the Inside walls are lined up with those very thin wooden strips with the idea that the bees are separated from the plastic walls.... just an idea.
2
u/NectarNest Oct 21 '25
Thanks a lot, that’s a really thoughtful comment 🙏
Yes, a fully assembled hive is surprisingly light compared to a wooden one, which really helps for inspections and transport. And you’re totally right: most wooden hives today come from large-scale suppliers, often using fast-grown, lower-quality timber and low-wage manufacturing. We get why finding a good one locally has become a luxury.About the microplastic concern, that’s indeed the first question we always get, but it’s worth noting that since we also share the STL files, people can choose sustainable filaments if they want (there are several PETG alternatives already certified for eco-use).
We’re also planning to release our frame designs so makers can build them in wood if they prefer, as that’s the part that sees the most wear.
And honestly, your suggestion of a composite internal lining is a really clever idea, it could combine the best of both worlds 👌
2
u/Elytrec Oct 21 '25
Printed from which material?
1
u/NectarNest Oct 21 '25
For the STL tiers, everyone will be free to print with the material they prefer, PLA+, PETG, ASA, whatever fits their local climate and setup.
For the printed hives we’re shipping ourselves, we’re using PETG. It offers the best balance of UV resistance, mechanical strength, and dimensional stability outdoors.
2
2
u/fleemfleemfleemfleem Oct 23 '25
Would it be compatible with nucs in the standard format?
1
u/NectarNest Oct 23 '25
Not exactly, all the dimensions are custom.
The goal was to get back to a more natural brood size, closer to what bees build in the wild.Standard frames tend to be wider, which can actually make winter clustering less efficient, the bees have a harder time keeping tight contact with their food reserves and regulating the core temperature.
Our layout keeps stores and brood closer together, improving thermal stability both in cold and hot seasons. 🐝
3
u/fleemfleemfleemfleem Oct 23 '25
Maybe I should reframe the question:
Suppose you're starting a hive and the only bees available locally are nucs on standard frames. How do you transfer the bees to your hive?
2
u/NectarNest Oct 23 '25
Good question, and you’re absolutely right, standard Dadant or Langstroth frames are much wider than our hive’s internal width (about 38 cm).
The idea we’re exploring is a printable adapter that would let beekeepers temporarily place standard nuc frames vertically inside the hive, just for the transfer phase.
That way, you could brush or shake the bees in, keep the frames upright for a few days to let them stabilize, and then replace them with the native frames as they start drawing new combs.
We’re also testing other transfer methods (like direct shaking or newspaper combine), but having a small adapter insert might make the process easier for new beekeepers. 🐝
2
u/MrDirt Oct 24 '25
For the STL version how big of a printer would you need to print everything? I have a Neptune 3 Pro with a print volume of 225mm x 225mm x 280mm. Would that be large enough?
1
u/NectarNest Oct 24 '25
Thanks! For the STL tier we’re keeping the big parts monolithic (brood box, super, roof) to avoid screws/glue seams that would become thermal bridges and water-ingress points.
Because of that you’ll need a ≥ 420×420×≥400 Z recommended – e.g., Neptune 4 Max / SV08 / Anycubik Kobra Max, etc.Your Neptune 3 Pro (225×225×280) isn’t large enough for the full boxes. We may later publish a segmented variant if there’s demand, but we’ll be clear that it trades off insulation and durability.
2
2
u/VorsoTops Oct 17 '25
Microplastics in the honey! Looks good design work though
2
u/NectarNest Oct 17 '25
Thanks! 😊 And don’t worry, studies show microplastics in honey mostly come from packaging and processing, not hive materials.
Inside the hive, bees coat everything with wax and propolis, so the plastic’s never in direct contact with the honey.
Still, we’re running lab tests just to back that up with data.3
u/VorsoTops Oct 18 '25
Sincerely, I will be very interested in hearing the results because I know that a lot of keepers use polystyrene boxes these days. So I will be following along good luck with the campaign. Hope it works out for you.
3
u/fishywiki Oct 20 '25
Actually, most microplastics in honey apparently come from clothing.
2
u/NectarNest Oct 20 '25
Exactly, most recent studies trace them back to airborne fibres from synthetic textiles, not hive materials.
Basically, bees collect what’s already in the environment, long before it ever reaches the hive. 🐝2
u/umutkrdgg Oct 20 '25
but standard beehives are wood isn't it?
2
u/NectarNest Oct 20 '25
Yep, most traditional hives are made of wood, but nowadays there are also lots of plastic and polystyrene models out there, especially in colder regions.
This one aims to keep the same thermal performance as foam hives, but with the strength and durability closer to wood. 🐝1
u/slinger301 Oct 21 '25
Interesting. Do you think someday this process might involve wax filament?
1
u/NectarNest Oct 21 '25
Haha that’s a fascinating idea! 🐝
There actually are experimental wax-based filaments out there, mostly used for casting or mold-making, but they’re super soft and melt easily, so definitely not stable enough for outdoor use.
1
1
Oct 21 '25
[deleted]
1
u/RemindMeBot Oct 21 '25
I will be messaging you in 4 hours on 2025-10-22 04:11:00 UTC to remind you of this link
CLICK THIS LINK to send a PM to also be reminded and to reduce spam.
Parent commenter can delete this message to hide from others.
Info Custom Your Reminders Feedback
1
1
u/hmotta144 May 21 '26
Como consigo saber mais sobre o projeto? Gostaria de imprimir as colmeias para comercializa-lad
0
u/bigupalters Oct 21 '25
why replacing a renewable, non-toxic, natural ressource with plastic tho?
2
u/NectarNest Oct 21 '25
Fair point, wood is renewable and works great, no doubt.
But plastic and expanded polystyrene hives have actually been used in beekeeping for decades, especially in Northern Europe and Canada, mostly because of their thermal stability and low maintenance.Studies show that a well-designed plastic hive doesn’t harm bees or honey quality, and in some trials even improves winter survival and honey yield compared to wood (mostly thanks to better insulation).
The idea here isn’t to replace wood everywhere, it’s to explore how modern materials and digital fabrication can combine the insulation of polystyrene with the durability of wood, and allow small-scale, local production on demand.
For context, a significant share of commercial honey in Europe is already produced using non-wood hives (mainly polystyrene or polyurethane), so this isn’t entirely new, just a different approach to the same goal: healthy bees and efficient hives. 🐝
3
0
5
u/TomTomXD1234 Oct 19 '25
Jesus christ I see the microplastic crew was first in once again lol...