Falkirk Wheel

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Welcome to the Falkirk Wheel in Scotland, the world's only rotating boat lift. Its Celtic-inspired, double-headed axe arms cradle two water-filled gondolas that transport boats with precision. Eight long years were spent planning, designing, and constructing this marvel between 1994 and 2002. The Falkirk Wheel bridges the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal for the first time since the 1930s when 11 navigation locks were removed. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people visit the Falkirk Wheel, and now you can enjoy a precise 1/500 scale model from your 3D printer. Design: By combining Blender with online photos of the wheel, I created a moveable assembly composed of 17 printable parts that work seamlessly together. Each part is carefully designed to print without supports and assemble without additional hardware. All you need is a 3D printer and filament to bring this model to life. The rotating arms hold gondolas in perfect balance using gravity, while the model itself can be spun by hand or with a twist of the knurled shaft stub extending through the back support. This shaft is also customizable for a gear-reduced drive. A worm drive modification is available online, complete with replacement parts to add a stepper motor and take your model to the next level.