Solar Ring

thingiverse

The purpose of this innovative project is to involve students in the fascinating world of 3D printing while teaching them about the processes that enable the production of clean drinking water. It requires exactly one hour and forty-five minutes on an Ultimaker 2, running at the preset "fast" speed in Cura 15.04.4. Here's how it works: Unclean water is poured into the bottom of a 2-liter bottle placed inside a black container, and the solar ring is securely fastened to the top of the bottle with its groove facing upwards. The apparatus should then be positioned directly under the sun's rays, causing it to heat up rapidly. As the temperature rises, the water at the bottom begins to evaporate, forming vapor that rises into the cooler air above. This vapor then condenses into droplets as it encounters the top of the bottle and falls harmlessly into the solar ring. Since the solar ring is printed with white plastic, which absorbs less heat than dark colors, it remains relatively cool throughout the process. The resulting clean drinking water collects in the solar ring, ready for consumption. Materials Needed: 1. One 2-liter soda bottle 2. A custom-made 3D printer solar ring 3. A black cup or bowl to hold the water (can be printed using a 3D printer) 4. A cap for the 2-liter bottle 5. Tape Instructions: Ensure that you print the solar ring using white plastic, as this will help it remain cooler during the process. You may need to adjust the size of the solar ring based on the specific 2-liter bottle you are using. The ideal diameter range is between 104mm and 108mm. Print Settings: Printer Brand: Ultimaker Printer Model: Ultimaker 2 Rafts: None Supports: None Infill Percentage: 10% Notes: - Use white plastic for printing the solar ring. - Scale the design to fit your specific 2-liter bottle, aiming for a diameter between 104mm and 108mm.