Beer Yeast Separator

myminifactory

Manual device enables home brewers to separate yeast from beer using centrifugal force. I've yet to print this model as it's intended for submission to the Lisa Sinterit design challenge. Printing on a regular FDM/FFF printer would be challenging due to support material difficulties. Connecting two tubes to the front and one to the back, then attaching a rotary machine (drill or dremel) creates rotation within the device. Centrifugal force slings heavier parts out of the inner part and further down the tube on the back. Theory suggests it will work; however, I've yet to print this object, so its effectiveness is unclear. Usage: 1. Connect beer to be filtered to the center hole on the front. 2. Attach a tube next to the center hole for filtered beer extraction. 3. Connect a tube on the back where yeast will accumulate or deposit it into a bucket. 4. Attach a drill or similar device to the axis on the back. 5. Start the drill. 6. Press and hold the push-block (cylindrical part of the front with four holes) in place. 7. Send beer through the device while holding the push-block. 8. As yeast accumulates, occasionally release the push-block to sling it out of the center part. 9. Periodically move the push-block back and forth to sling yeast out and deposit it at the back. This is how it should work; I hope to test it before submitting to the Lisa Sinterit Contest. If you have an STS printer, please share your experience if you decide to print this object. Potential improvements include automating the push block's movement, but calibration is needed first. To explore different parts, view the Fusion 360 object at my Fusion 360 hub.