Department of Conservation
Kakapo Project
For this project the electronics team was tasked with redesigning the entire Kakapo tracking system across Whenua Hou and Anchor Island. Kakapo are a critically endangered ground dwelling parrot only found in New Zealand. My role in the project was focused on encapsulating the electronic transmitters in resin, designing an easier way for rangers to remove and attach them to the birds and adjust the harness as the birds gain or loose weight.
The Transmitter
The transmitter is made up of three components.
The base plate is made from vacuum cast resin. It stays on the bird during the changeovers. It is held on with a specialised rope harness and features adjustable mounting points which are changed as the bird’s weight fluctuates.
The insert is an ultra-light 3d print that stops the transmitter from moving in the base plate and provides the other half of the harness adjustment.
The transmitter is where the electronics and its power supply are cast in a lightweight resin. It is made to slot into the base plate before being carefully screwed in place to ensure it is 100% secure.
Fitting the Transmitter
Trial & Error
Many iterations of the casting process where trialed before we found one
that didn’t produce air bubbles and could be easily replicated.
More Projects
Natures Calling
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Teardrop
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Kakapo Project
Professional, 2022-24
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Accesiboil
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Micro drop
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Tropospheric Abscond
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HexaFleece
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Arc
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Symbiosis
Third Year, 2022