Parametric helical Darrieus vertical axis wind turbine

thingiverse

Get the new version now at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:15083! While building my Repstrap, my brother-in-law asked why I was putting so much effort into it when I could use that energy to pursue renewable energy instead of paying high electricity bills. This project is dedicated to him and uses Buzz's Parametric NACA airfoil code. It relies on the Parametric NACA4 Library previously posted. To assemble, print one top and base, along with as many add-on sections as needed. For a constant torque turbine, print two add-on sections or (2+3n) pieces. The blades' continuous holes may allow for reinforcement with wire rope or filament without relying on glue alone. The central section is parametric and defaults to 8mm for an M8 threaded bolt drive shaft to the generator. Custom motor/generator mount design is left to the user due to varying types. After my printer is up and running, I might publish a motor enclosure using a common motor/generator as the basis. Don't forget, it's parametric! Experiment with different sizes and settings. Printing add-on modules in multiples of three could work for smaller build envelopes. This model may be more proof-of-concept than power-generating size, but multiple long thin spires combined might have merit.