RX-2 Chaipattana Low Speed Surface Aerator (Scale Model)

thingiverse

This is a working scale model of the RX-2 Chaipattana Low Speed Surface Aerator. It was designed in Thailand by King Bhumibol Adulyadej himself. This incredible invention has inspired a wide variety of surface aerator systems now used throughout Thailand to transform stagnant water into a valuable resource for agriculture, aquaculture, and recreation. A video demo is available right here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aAWuWEHq0E You can also watch a video featuring the aerator in action on water: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kBsjqi_GhY For more information about this amazing aerator, check out this link: http://www.progressth.org/2017/10/3d-printed-rx-2-chaipattana-low-speed.html Here are the details: It uses a 12V DC 35byj46 stepper motor and driver board + Arduino Nano. To assemble it, you'll need to do some extensive friction welding. Use a back light to spot any gaps so your welds will be water-tight. Applying aquarium silicon sealer along the welds is also a good idea. A hole drilled in the top of the pontoons with a stopper could be used to drain the pontoons if they take on water. The motor housing should either be tack welded (using 4-6 spots of welding instead of a single continuous bead) or hot glued in place. This will allow you to remove the housing to work on or replace the motor in the future. You'll also want to apply hot glue onto the nuts securing the bolt because they tend to come loose during operation. Info on the welding process, including a link with a video, can be found here: http://www.progressth.org/2017/07/diy-friction-welding-warped-3d-prints.html The SketchUp file is included and is also available in SketchUp's 3D Warehouse right here: https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/0e1db761-46ee-4a45-993e-233a70991783/RX-2-Chaipattana-Low-Speed-Surface-Aerator This system does float and works on water. If you decide to build it, please exercise extreme caution and do so at your own risk.