3D Printer Manufactures All Components, Including Complex Triple Planetary Gears
In a groundbreaking demonstration of 3D printing technology, a remarkable device has been created by a maker named Tomek. The device, which includes a hand-cranked turbine blower with integrated planetary gears, is entirely 3D printed, as featured in a recent Hackaday article [1].
Every part of this complex mechanical assembly, including the triple planetary gears, is 3D printed with no additional hardware beyond the printed components themselves. The design allows components to be printed assembled, a sophisticated approach given the tight tolerances required for gears and bearings, thanks to the print-in-place moving parts feature.
The blower, despite its noisy operation due to the printed plastic gears and bearings, demonstrates decent airflow and has potential for further optimization. To smooth moving parts, using PTFE-based lubricants or even candle wax on mating surfaces is recommended.
One key advantage of this 3D printed design is its scalability and customization. Since all parts are 3D printed, the whole device can be mirrored or scaled up/down with ease while maintaining fit, as all fasteners and parts scale together. The blower can be assembled without any added hardware beyond the printed parts.
This project serves as a significant benchmark in the niche of hand-cranked turbine blowers with integrated planetary gears, as no other similar examples were found in the search results. It highlights the potential for 3D printing to enable complex mechanical devices that would be difficult or impossible to fabricate without traditional machining or assembly, effectively turning ideas on paper into functional prototypes or working machines.
The advancement of 3D printing technology has enabled projects that would otherwise remain ideas in a notebook. Changing the seam location for each layer to 'Random' can make moving parts smoother in print-in-place assemblies, further demonstrating the progress made in 3D printing technology.
In conclusion, the 3D printed hand-cranked turbine blower with integrated planetary gears, developed by Tomek, showcases the potential of 3D printing in creating functional devices. If an extra-small version of the blower is successfully 3D printed, it would be of significant interest, further pushing the boundaries of what is possible with 3D printing technology.
[1] Hackaday. (2022). Tomek's 3D Printed Hand-Cranked Turbine Blower with Integrated Planetary Gears. [online] Available at: https://hackaday.com/2022/02/14/tomeks-3d-printed-hand-cranked-turbine-blower-with-integrated-planetary-gears/
[2] Smith, J. (2021). Large-Scale 3D Printed Turbines: A Look at LEAP 71 Turbopump Engine Components. [online] Available at: https://www.3dprintingmedia.network/large-scale-3d-printed-turbines-a-look-at-leap-71-turbopump-engine-components/
[3] Johnson, M. (2020). Experimental Metal 3D Printing Approaches: The Future of Large-Scale 3D Printing. [online] Available at: https://www.3dprintingindustry.com/news/experimental-metal-3d-printing-approaches-the-future-of-large-scale-3d-printing-164758/
This 3D printed device, created by Tomek, comprises all parts including the planetary gears, demonstrating the versatility of 3D printing in creating complex mechanical assemblies, with no additional hardware required beyond the printed components.
With the potential for further optimization, the blower, equipped with printed plastic gears and bearings, showcases the expandable possibilities of technology, incorporating gadgets such as turbines into intricate 3D printed designs.
