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It has already been drawn using Fusion 360. Choosing Make -> 3D Print, then selecting the propeller and clicking OK handed the 3D geometry off to Simplify 3D, the software that actually ran the printer. Within Simplify 3D the object can be positioned and reoriented on the bed and set to print solid or with infill. A moving slider can animate how the printing will be done, layer-by-layer. I had the printer directly connected via a USB cable so it was just a matter of clicking to start the print. The process begins by preheating the bed and head, the actual printing took about 15 minutes (with printed support under each blade). This fit tightly on the shaft that lasted months of everyday use! A replacement lasted many months more. By that time I had a stainless steel one printed at a service provider.
The worn-out stainless propeller was going to cost $500 to replace. But the size and pitch of the blades was not ideal anyway. So I drew them using Fusion 360 and printed in PLA plastic, this enabled experimenting with different sizes and pitches. How about getting a tight fit on the shaft? No problem. I measured it with calipers and printed that size. It was a little tight so I printed it slightly larger. One issue: Mixing slurries with hot water bends the blades and the collar loosens. If you would like this in Fusion 360 format, it is available in the Files Manager in your Insight-live.com account.
The original was on a short shaft and had no propeller, just a weird flapper. It was only able to mix about half a gallon. It's stepper motor had a totally inadequate top speed but it was powerful enough to turn a much larger propeller. This new large four-blade propeller was the answer. It can mix two gallons with no problem! There are more issues. This mixer rotates counter-clockwise, commercial blades are not available for that. Further, it has a 6mm (rather than 1/4 inch) shaft. Even if propellers were available they would likely cost hundreds of dollars. But designing and printing one on a home 3D printer is no problem. Look how well it works on this 1.45 specific gravity slurry.
Glossary |
3D Printer
Standard 3D printers (not clay 3D printers) are incredibly useful in ceramic production and design, bringing difficult processes within reach of potters and hobbyists. |
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