Model Aircraft Styled Air Engine, Experimental

cults3d

The first model aircraft compressed air powered engine in my series, "Model Aircraft Styled Air Engine, Experimental," was the result of a challenge to build a single cylinder compressed air engine using just eight 3D printed parts and no purchased components. This project weighed in at only .8 ounces (25 grams) and required significant ingenuity. To operate this model, you will need a 1/4" threaded compressor adapter and compressor. Alternatively, if you don't want to 3D print the propeller, a 6 by 5.5 E propeller with a 6.2mm center hole can be used instead. My design was inspired by Joseph S. Ott's 1933 work on rotary valves, which utilize the propeller axle as both an axle and a valve. The valve timing is determined by the angular offset between the flat surfaces on the axle and the pin on the journal. This design also provides a fairly decent exhaust system. During the development of this engine, I learned valuable lessons that have since been applied to my subsequent model aircraft engine designs. While this initial version may not propel an aircraft, it is an impressive conversation piece in any workshop. To test your 3D printer capabilities, give this project a try and see what you can achieve. The design was created using Autodesk Fusion 360 and sliced with Cura 3.0.4 before being printed in PLA and PVA on an Ultimaker 2+ Extended and an Ultimaker 3 Extended.