Remix of Optical Illusion Pinwheel with Thicker Blades

thingiverse

This is a remix of Dalpec's very cool Optical Illusion Pinwheel. The problem with the original blade STL files was that they were too thin near the ends, which prevented them from printing correctly (see photo). These are close to the originals but not exact replicas. I created two versions: one has blades that get taller in the middle on a curved shape, while the other is flat and doesn't have any steps. I also remixed the handle of the pinwheel. The new version prints flat on the bed but needs to be glued together from two parts, which isn't as cool. It will fit without rotating on a Mini bed, but it's recommended to print at a 45-degree angle for better results. I printed one square and noticed that the print lifted slightly near the edge of the bed due to heat. The revised clipless retention system also needs to be mentioned. To assemble the wheel, you'll need to use the washers from Dalpek's original Thing, which should snap onto the handle for a secure hold. Update (5/10/16): I received a request for modified blades that would spin more efficiently in less wind. In response, I created new blade sections with thicker widths (.375 and .5) and one with a flat pitch to increase revs at lower wind speeds.