Progressing Cavity Pump (cycloidical)

thingiverse

This code is now obsolete; use the new library at http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:777936. The updated version features a shorter codebase. It's a center part of a progressing-cavity pump (PCP or moineau pump) that uses alternating epi- and hypocycloids to avoid cusps/kinks. Currently, it has two- and threefold symmetry for the rotor and stator respectively but can be adjusted to any N and (N+1) symmetry. It's a positive displacement pump providing constant flow with arbitrary pressure. Suitable for high viscous liquids mixed with solid particles. Check Wikipedia for more info. Key adjustment points are marked with arrows, and wall thicknesses need improvement. Initially, use a high clearance of 0.6mm for fitting. For optimal printing, reduce the clearance and create a new stator. The motivation is to experiment with steel-printed versions for reextruding PLA and PET plastics. However, more work is needed for integration into a functional project. Remember to reduce the clearance for the stator in the instructions.