March 28, 2026
Description
Building on the experience gained from my previous project - a 100% 3D-printed garden windmill with no extra hardware - I decided to design an improved turbine that utilizes ball bearings. Thanks to this upgrade, the turbine is fully functional in any wind conditions, unlike the previous version, which served more as a garden ornament.
Bearings used:
Printing Tips Please note: this is a challenging print. I recommend thoroughly cleaning the build plate before starting and monitoring the process closely. It is best to print critical components, such as the turbine blades, separately. This prevents a single part peeling off the bed from ruining the rest of the successful prints.
Assembly & Design Updates Assembly is quite straightforward. The only challenge I faced was mounting the wind vane that aligns the turbine. Before assembly, make sure to slightly widen the hole (e.g., with a knife) before pressing the filament in. Carefully remove all brim.
You might notice a slight difference between the blades in the photos versus the render and the final files. I have updated the design to improve performance and ensure the blades no longer catch on the screw. If you encounter any clearance issues or need a different screw length due to using a thinner base, please let me know. I'm happy to help!
License:
Standard Digital File License
Slurpson
