Measure the wind, a 3D printed anemometer

thingiverse

Measure the wind with a 3D printed anemometer that's as sleek as it is functional. It was only natural to wonder what Sherlock Holmes carried around all the time, and now we know - he had an anemometer in his pocket! The photo clearly shows him using his pipe smoke to pinpoint the direction of the wind, making precise velocity measurements with ease. No matter how you choose to catch the wind, having a way to measure its strength is always handy. This contribution consists of three printed parts and a small DC motor that's easy to work with. When the motor shaft rotates, there should be no resistance from internal magnets - except for small PC fans, which can feel a bit stubborn. Test the motor with a fan by blowing air through it and checking the voltage. You'll likely see around 1.5 volts. The distance of the mounting holes for the motor can be adjusted in the Open SCAD file if needed. Instead of adding electronics, which might make this gadget too complicated for most people, the two motor wires are connected to a universal meter. This makes it easy to get started right away. Calibration is key! Get in your car and hold the instrument outside the window while asking the driver to call out the speed. Note down both the speed and voltage, then repeat this process at various velocities - just be sure to follow speed limits, of course. Back home, plot these values on Excel for a perfect calibration curve. Keep in mind that DC motors usually show an S-curve, so don't expect a straight line. Tip: If someone's blowing 35 km/hr at your kids' party, you know what's going on!