Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => 3D CAD Design & Printing => Topic started by: Colin Bishop on July 06, 2022, 03:49:38 pm

Title: Model Boat Propeller Designer 3D printing
Post by: Colin Bishop on July 06, 2022, 03:49:38 pm
I came across this item on Thingiverse today.

Looks like it could be useful for making your own props if you have a 3D printer.

Does anyone know anything about it?

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3384835

Colin
Title: Re: Model Boat Propeller Designer 3D printing
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on July 06, 2022, 05:12:40 pm
Looks like an App/script designed to run in OpenScad free CAD software.
 
OpenScad is downloadable off the interwebs...  :-)
Title: Re: Model Boat Propeller Designer 3D printing
Post by: Colin Bishop on July 06, 2022, 05:16:30 pm
Would you have to learn it or could you just tinker with the main parameters affecting number and size of blades etc. as mentioned in the description? I have a friend who printed out a set of feathering paddle wheels parts from a free source. He doesn't know CAD but was able to scale the size to the diameter I needed and print them off.

Colin
Title: Re: Model Boat Propeller Designer 3D printing
Post by: Umi_Ryuzuki on July 06, 2022, 07:01:05 pm
Sounds like you could tinker with it, then push it to the slicer and print.
Still might be some basic learning on the software itself. I still can't use Delftship very well...
 
Learning CAD is an exercise, and I feel like I make forty steps for every three a good CAD operator makes.
But I did manage a replacement fan last summer in the middle of a heat wave.  %)
Finding the right YouTube tutorial is absolutely indispensable.  ok2
Title: Re: Model Boat Propeller Designer 3D printing
Post by: RST on July 06, 2022, 07:41:34 pm
By the time I finished university as a Nav Arch. graduate I was fairly competent on autoship and autoload -ready for professional training.  These days I can't remember any of it, just the principles!  I spent too much time the last 2 decades on 2-D CAD and can't seem to get my mind to transition back.

I wouldn't rule out "tinkercad".  I've got lots of projects on the go for an azimuthing drive and am printing kort nozzles all the time to suit propellers about 20mm diameter.  I do have a nice flament printer that can print very small sizes which I admit is a luxury.  It's surprising what you can do in tinkercad without proper CAD knowledge though.  I still rank as a complete amateur.

For the azimuthing drive, I've got brass 6mm outer diameter bevel gears to fit in the c13mm casing.  Almost too small to handle and struggling to think how I can get them to work reliably -it's a long-term project!  The pic posted is just rough prints in ABS to see how they work -bear in mind the kort on both is only something like 24-25m diameter and not sanded or smoothed.

I'm not adverse to grabbing a file off thingverse and transforming it in tinkercad, but only if tinkercad fails me to make it first.  My little puffer at 1:48 was grabbed and modified from basic thingiverse prints for the hull.

Not sure if this helps,

Rich
Title: Re: Model Boat Propeller Designer 3D printing
Post by: tica on July 07, 2022, 07:59:47 am
Just downloaded the file and installed OpenSCAD and it look like a good starting point for a prop with sharp edges, I don't see any possibility to get nice rounded blades like tugs and freighters have, and I'm missing the possibility to set it up to be mounted with a Dog Drive or inside threaded.

Maybe one can just do the tread after the print. I'll design one and print it later today, stay tuned for an update
Title: Re: Model Boat Propeller Designer 3D printing
Post by: tica on July 07, 2022, 03:24:51 pm
Did a design to fit the prop on my Classic, it came out ok, picture is a close-up it is only 28mm in diameter. And I have to find a way of attaching it to the shaft, so I can test it on the water, and not sure that PLA is the right material for this.