OpenMotor

thingiverse

I've always been fascinated by motors. I envisioned an "open-source" motor design that could be easily constructed using a 3D printer, magnet wire, and standard components such as skate bearings. To achieve this, I developed a parametric OpenSCAD script for creating the coil forms and structure of the motor. After printing the necessary pieces, I was diverted to other projects. The objective was to create a simple 3-phase induction motor, which would require complex electronics for operation but would be straightforward in terms of its design - just three coils and a core. My OpenSCAD script generates all the required components. To assemble it, print two endplates, the forms, and wind the forms with magnet wire. Place an electrically conductive (non-magnetic) core within the forms, preferably with shafts to support it on either side. If you're not interested in a functional motor, you can also print the armature (with support for the bottom shaft). You'll have all the pieces of the "open motor" puzzle. My hope is that this project will inspire others to build upon this design and take it even further! Oh, and there was quite a bit of tricky math involved in shaping the endplates to look just right. :D