Twist-Lock

The aim of this project was to create a poison bait station targeting invasive rats in urban and bush environments.

The intention was to design a station that performs better than existing stations and better meets the needs of its users and those who live around predator control operations.

Base Concept

The base concept for the station uses a hopper of bait that sits at 90 degrees at the center of a tunnel, this means that the rats don’t have to turn a significant corner or put their heads far into a closed space, while the tunnel length and the 90 degree turn prevents non-target access.

The tunnel works as a separate unit that attaches to the hopper to make packdowns easier, making cleaning easier. The tunnel's dimensions could also be adjusted downwards if there is a specific species that needs to be excluded or if there are no non-target species around it can be made larger.

Inital Models

I started by scaling the hopper to fit 100 grams of bait in both pellet and block forms and ensured the hopper feed worked before sizing the tunnel.

After the basis dimensions were formed, I began looking at the more complex functions with 3D modeling and printing.

Version 1: A Solid Tunnel

One of the important issues to tackle with my design was allowing many stations to be carried in a pack at once. This inital version tested a mechanisim that allowed for the tunnel to be seperated from the hopper unit. the two halves rotate apart, rather than straight up and down, which helps to prevent passers by from disassembling the station.

Version 2: A Flexible Tunnel

Tunnel floor slots into place

A flexible roof is hooked onto the rear

The tunnel is closed

Version 3: A Fabric Floor

The rear hooks remain from version two, but with supports to better hold the flexible tunnel in place.

A new version of the tunnel joins a fabric floor to the plastic sheet roof, held tight by the roof sheets curve and secured at the rear of the hopper.

One point of interest picked up from Predator Free Wellington was that dirt is always placed inside of stations to create a more natural and inviting space for rats. Using an alternative material for the floor creates an interesting opportunity to help catch more shy targets. This version also further increases packdown and reduces setup time.

Feedback with Predator Free Wellington

“The flexible tunnel with the soft floor is a better height in my mind.”

“Rats like to sit up when they eat and turn around, the solid tunnel version feels a bit low in the roof and may be a bit of a deterrent at the current height.“

"Love the hopper design, being able to use it to scoop bait is a definite plus/time saver"

“Seems like the single poke might not cut it”

“Seems like the stations might be a bit unstable or will be potentially able to rip out of the ground to easy by non targets.“

Final Design

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