Bill of materials
Description
This is the parts list for the Phase 3 production kit described in the product description and shown in the 3D model. Costs are rough per-unit estimates in EUR at about 100 units, before assembly labour, VAT and shipping. Replace them with quotes before pricing the product.
- Scale mechanics: wood case, load cell, Observer mounting inserts, internal harness
- €76–131
- Electronics pod (2–4 cells)
- €24–43
- 3D-printed parts: locators, sensor port, pod bay, pod enclosure, battery cartridge
- €15–26
- Hive climate probe and packaging
- €13–22
- Total
- ≈ €128–222
- Spare battery cartridge
- + €10–20
Photos are compact visual references from supplier websites. Example boards, materials and alternative parts are labelled below each specification; they are not approved substitutes. Custom assemblies are not sold as pictured. Click a photo credit to view its source. Image rights remain with the original shops and manufacturers.
The scale has no landing board and no solar panel. With an Entrance Observer the Observer provides both, and powers the scale over one M12 lead (the lead ships with the Observer).
Scale mechanics
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Photo: Alibaba AP62AFB Load cell + brackets
AP62AFB single-point, 200 kg (350 kg option), with two aluminium weighing brackets
Supplier: Alibaba AP62AFB
Currently used. Verify dimensions, deflection and cable on delivery.
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Photo: Capitol City Lumber Deck
18 mm film-faced birch plywood (anti-slip mesh face), 560 × 510 mm, CNC-cut, sealed edges, M8 threaded inserts; 40 × 20 mm thermo-pine skirt
Supplier: Local joinery shop; plywood from Riga Wood / Metsä dealers
Film face keeps rain out of the weighed deck.
Example material / custom fabrication: Baltic birch plywood sheet from a wood shop; the deck is custom CNC-cut birch plywood
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Photo: Capitol City Lumber Base
12 mm exterior plywood floor, 22 mm thermo-pine board walls 60 mm high, drain holes, bay cut, M10 inserts for feet and stops
Supplier: Local joinery shop
Not weighed, so moisture does not matter.
Example material / custom fabrication: Baltic birch plywood sheet from a wood shop; the base is custom plywood and thermo-pine
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Photo: The Pi Hut Overload stops
M10 × 90 stainless hex bolt, lock nut, spacer tube
Supplier: Fastener wholesaler
Set with a feeler gauge at assembly.
Representative example: Hex head cap screws; the stops use M10 x 90 stainless bolts
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Photo: Hawk Engineering Levelling feet
M10 × 40 stud, 40 mm rubber pad
Supplier: Amazon levelling feet search
Removed for the Robotic Beehive.
Representative example: M10 studded rubber leveling foot with 50 mm base
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Photo: SparkFun Side bumpers
EPDM pad 40 × 14 × 4 mm, adhesive
Supplier: Local rubber supplier
Representative example: Adhesive silicone bumpers; the kit uses EPDM pads
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Photo: Pimoroni Bracket fasteners
M8 stainless bolts, washers, thread lock
Supplier: Fastener wholesaler
Torque per cell datasheet.
Representative example: Assorted screws, nuts and washers; the kit uses M8 stainless
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Photo: Pimoroni Dock connector
Keyed, gasketed 12-pin board-to-board pair (e.g. Molex Micro-Fit sealed, or custom)
Supplier: Mouser, DigiKey
Mates as the pod slides in.
Representative example: Low-voltage connector set; the dock uses a keyed gasketed 12-pin pair
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Photo: Adafruit Observer mounting points
M6 brass threaded inserts in the front wall
Supplier: Fastener wholesaler
The Entrance Observer risers bolt here.
Representative example: Brass heat-set inserts; the kit uses M6 inserts
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Photo: Metabee Accessory connector
M12 8-pin A-coded panel socket, IP67, facing down, with dust cap
Supplier: Mouser M12 connectors
Entrance Observer and Robotic Beehive plug in here.
Representative example: M12 8-pin A-coded female panel-mount socket
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Photo: Adafruit Internal harness
Shielded 4-core (load cell), 8-core (accessory connector), 4-core (SHT40), crimped to the dock
Supplier: Harness shop
Stays inside the base.
Representative example: Silicone-insulated 4-wire ribbon cable
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Photo: Adafruit Ambient sensor pocket
SHT40 on a small PCB behind louvres in the left base wall
Supplier: LCSC
Component on example breakout: Sensirion SHT40 on an Adafruit breakout
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Photo: The Pi Hut Transport lock
Captive quarter-turn M8 cam bolt, red mark on the skirt
Supplier: Fastener wholesaler
On the service side next to the pod. The knob is printed, see 3D-printed parts.
Representative example: Hex head screws; the lock is a captive M8 cam bolt with a printed knob
Electronics pod
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Photo: Adafruit -
Photo: SparkFun Weight ADC
HX711 (SOP-16)
Supplier: LCSC
NAU7802 as the alternative.
Component on example board: HX711 IC on a SparkFun load cell amplifier breakout
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Photo: Adafruit Charger
TI BQ24074
Supplier: LCSC, DigiKey
TS pin wired to the pack NTC.
Representative example: Li-ion charger breakout; the pod uses a TI BQ24074
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Photo: Adafruit Input selector
TI LM66200 dual ideal diode
Supplier: LCSC, DigiKey
Accessory VIN + USB-C VBUS.
Component on example board: LM66200 ideal diode IC on an Adafruit breakout
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Photo: Adafruit Display
0.96″ OLED 128 × 64, SSD1306, I2C
Supplier: LCSC, AliExpress
Behind a polycarbonate window.
Representative example: 0.96 inch 128 x 64 monochrome OLED module (SSD1306 class)
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Photo: Adafruit Button
IP67 sealed tactile switch, 12 mm
Supplier: Mouser (e.g. C&K, E-Switch)
Representative example: Rugged metal pushbutton; the kit uses a 12 mm IP67 tactile switch
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Photo: Adafruit USB-C
16-pin USB-C receptacle + silicone flap
Supplier: LCSC
5.1 kΩ CC resistors.
Representative example: USB-C socket breakout
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Photo: Adafruit Fuel gauge
Analog Devices MAX17048
Supplier: LCSC, DigiKey
Component on example board: MAX17048 IC on an Adafruit breakout
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Photo: Adafruit 3.3 V buck
TI TPS62840
Supplier: LCSC, DigiKey
Representative example: 3.3 V buck converter breakout; the pod uses a TI TPS62840
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Photo: Pimoroni Sensor load switch
TI TPS22917
Supplier: LCSC
Representative example: Switch breakout; the pod uses a TI TPS22917 load switch IC
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Photo: Adafruit Tilt sensor
ST LIS2DH12 accelerometer
Supplier: LCSC
Replaces a bubble level; tipped-hive alert.
Representative example: LIS3DH accelerometer breakout; the pod uses the LIS2DH12
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Photo: Adafruit Passives
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Supplier: LCSC
Representative example: SMD resistor and capacitor assortment book
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Photo: Adafruit -
Photo: Adafruit LoRa module (option)
SX1262 module, 868 MHz
Supplier: LCSC, Ebyte
Fitted for the gateway SKU and the Robotic Beehive.
Representative example: RFM95CW LoRa module; the option uses an SX1262 module
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Photo: W. L. Gore & Associates Pressure vent
ePTFE membrane vent
Supplier: Mouser vents
Representative example: Gore PolyVent M12 ePTFE membrane pressure vent plug
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Photo: The Pi Hut 18650 cells
2500 mAh Li-ion, low-temperature rated (e.g. Samsung 25R, Molicel P28A)
Supplier: Authorised battery distributor
Buy matched cells from one lot.
Representative example: 18650 Li-ion cell, 2500 mAh; generic cell, not the specific sourced SKU
3D-printed parts
All shaped plastic parts are printed in ASA on an FDM printer for pilot batches; the pod enclosure moves to injection moulding later. Click a picture or the download button to get the STL. Files are in millimetres, already oriented for printing, and generated from the beehive-sensors model (npm run print). Unless noted: 0.2 mm layers, 4 perimeters, enclosed printer.
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Download STLhive-locator.stlHive locators
L-shaped corner block, 46 × 38 × 20 mm, 10 mm arms, lead-in chamfer for the bottom board, two countersunk holes for 4 × 30 mm wood screws
Supplier: In-house FDM printer
Screwed to the deck at three hive corners.
Print: graphite ASA, about 10 g, 40 % infill, no supports.
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Download STLsensor-port.stlSensor port
Corner block, 62 × 26 × 22 mm, with a Ø13 mm bore for the sealed 4-pin probe socket and a lead hole down through the deck; flat 4-core service-loop lead to the harness
Supplier: Printer + connector house
Replaces the fourth locator. The socket and the lead are bought; the estimate includes them.
Print: graphite ASA, about 20 g, 40 % infill, no supports.
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Download STLprobe-groove.stlProbe groove
Channel, 82 × 12 × 6 mm, along the front strip of the deck; the flat probe lead clips in past two lips
Supplier: In-house FDM printer
Two M3 countersunk screws.
Print: graphite ASA, about 4 g, no supports.
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Download STLpod-bay-sleeve.stlPod bay sleeve
Sleeve, 168 × 80 × 40 mm, for the wall cut: side flanges over the cut edges, dock connector window with two M2.5 holes, two drain holes
Supplier: In-house FDM printer
Glued into the service-side wall cut.
Print: graphite ASA, about 55 g, stands on its floor, no supports.
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Download STLpod-tub.stlPod enclosure tub
Open tub, 73 × 150 × 34 mm, 2.5 mm walls: four M3 lid bosses, PCB standoffs, cartridge guide rail, dock connector window
Supplier: 3D printed (pilot), injection moulded later (≈ €5–9k tool for tub, lid and face)
Honey yellow. The face is solvent-welded to it with acetone.
Print: honey-yellow ASA, about 55 g, 5 perimeters for IP67, no supports.
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Download STLpod-lid.stlPod enclosure lid
Flat lid, 73 × 150 × 3 mm, groove for a 1.5 mm silicone cord gasket, four M3 screws
Supplier: 3D printed (pilot), injection moulded later
Only opened at the factory or for repair.
Print: honey-yellow ASA, about 35 g, groove side up, 100 % infill.
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Download STLpod-face.stlPod enclosure face
Face plate, 150 × 38 × 3 mm, with a locating lip: OLED window, sealed button, USB-C, vent, quarter-turn latch and the keyed battery cartridge slot
Supplier: 3D printed (pilot), injection moulded later
The OLED window is glazed from inside with a clear PC sheet.
Print: honey-yellow ASA, about 9 g, outer face on the bed, 100 % infill.
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Download STLbattery-cartridge.stlBattery cartridge
Sled for 4 × 18650 (1S), 72 × 82 × 30 mm: cell cradles, slots for leaf contacts at both ends, wire channel, end cap with a chamfered key corner and a grip slot
Supplier: 3D printed / moulded + Keystone leaf contacts
Slides out of the pod face; the chamfered corner lets it fit only one way. Takes unprotected 65 mm cells and a 10 kΩ NTC.
Print: graphite ASA, about 35 g, no supports.
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Download STLtransport-lock-knob.stlTransport lock knob
Ø22 mm knob with a wing grip and a pocket for the M8 bolt head (13 mm hex)
Supplier: In-house FDM printer
Pressed onto the cam bolt; the dot on the wing end is painted red.
Print: graphite ASA, about 3 g, pocket on the bed, 100 % infill.
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Download STLambient-louvre.stlAmbient sensor louvre
Louvre insert, 62 × 38 × 22 mm, for the ambient sensor pocket: flange on the outer face, four 45° slats that shed rain, duct through the 22 mm wall
Supplier: In-house FDM printer
Glued into the left base wall; the SHT40 board sits at its inner end.
Print: graphite ASA, about 11 g, flange on the bed, no supports.
Hive climate probe and packaging
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Photo: Adafruit Hive climate probe
Sensirion SHT45 in a 6 mm stainless tube with a vented ePTFE tip, 1 m semi-rigid flat 4-core lead with an insertion mark, sealed 4-pin plug
Supplier: Probe manufacturer; Sensirion SHT45
Goes in through the entrance.
Component on example breakout: Sensirion SHT45 on an Adafruit breakout with PTFE cover; the probe itself is a custom stainless tube assembly
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Photo: Uline Labels, manual, box
Serial and calibration label, quick-start card, flat box 600 × 550 × 160 mm
Supplier: Local print shop
Representative example: Corrugated shipping box as an example of the packaging; contents are custom print
Robotic Beehive variant
Remove the feet. Add a LoRa module and a robot harness with an M12 8-pin plug: 5 V from the robot's fused logic rail, UART and WAKE to the Jetson. The pod stays in the scale's side bay.
Factory equipment
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Photo: Ourweigh Calibration weights, 20 kg and 100 kg (M1 class)
3-point calibration and the corner-load test.
Representative example: Cast iron M1-class calibration weight with adjusting cavity
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Photo: Adafruit USB-C test station
Flash firmware and run the board self-test through the pod's USB-C port.
Representative example: USB-C digital tester; the station is a custom flash and self-test rig
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Photo: Metabee M12 test plug
Accessory-connector loop-back test (VIN, 1-Wire, UART, WAKE).
Representative example: M12 8-pin A-coded field-wireable connector; the test plug is a custom loop-back
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Photo: Draper Tools Feeler gauge set
Set the overload stops.
Representative example: Draper 32-blade combination feeler gauge set
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Photo: Adafruit Pod leak tester (vacuum decay) or dunk tank
IP67 check before shipping.
Representative example: Small vacuum pump motor as an example part; the tester is custom
Selection rules before ordering
- Each critical part needs at least two acceptable suppliers or an approved substitute.
- Measure the delivered AP62AFB before releasing deck and base drawings.
- Check enclosure, connector and cable diameters together, not separately.
- Load-cell capacity must cover the hive at peak honey, a leaning beekeeper and an overload margin.
- Document battery chemistry and cell source for safe shipping (UN38.3) and service.
- Record the PCB and frame revision in telemetry metadata.
Supplier examples to compare
These are research links, not approved suppliers: