Oct 22, 2016 | By Andre

There comes a time in most people’s lives when inspiration strikes, and when it does this burst of focused energy is generally rather impressive. Take for example Swiss Maker Christoph Laimer’s contribution to the 3D printed design world.

Early this year, he released the instructions on how to create a fully 3D printed mechanical tourbillon watch (based on a 1795 design by French-Swiss watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet). What this means is that with nothing but a sophisticated array of 3D printed parts (as well as some pins and screws) you can make your own fully automated and accurately functional time piece.

But Christoph didn’t stop producing there. He’s continued to be driven by the maker spirit and has just recently announced two 3D printing projects many may have thought impossible only a few years ago.

The first is a 3D printed brushless motor, that once 3D printed with the necessary components in place, runs at over 65% efficiency at 90W. The other, is a wind power writer that, as the name suggests, is driven entirely by wind. Of course, if no wind is present a fan powered by the aforementioned brushless motor does the trick as well.

And since many of you may not immediately know what a wind power writer is it might be good to dive a little bit into this contraption. In words, a wind power writer is a portable wind turbine that spins bright LEDs along and out from its axis to produce any combination of words programmed into the Arduino Pro Mini its attached to. In video form, take a look for yourself below.

While immensely cool, an understanding of copper wiring, electric currents, motor controls, Arduino, circuit building, soldering and just about everything else sometimes found in a skilled maker’s repertoire of abilities will be needed to make what Christoph has created.

From a 3D print perspective, just about every element of both his recent designs have 3D printed components to them (digitally created using Fusion 360). Whether its the propeller for the wind turbine or shield for the motor, he has continued pushing the envelope of what's possible with 3D printing with some inspired projects in recent months that's for sure. Additionally, if you want to download the parts yourself, all you need to do is register at the project's makeSEA site and you'll gain easy access to them.

In a letter to 3ders, Christoph notes that he hopes all of his projects might be interesting in multiple engineering disciplines. And considering the motor, pretty well 3D printed, runs at such a high efficiency rate and the wind turbine contains elements of material, mechanical and electrical sciences (not to mention coding knowledge), his inspired projects are clear cut examples of how to further inspire and motivate others.

And there’s no question in my mind that Cristoph’s in it for the right reasons. As he begins writing about the project's conclusion, he suggests that “I’d like to sensibilize people, that the world of today has a heart, and humans are responsible for it. A smart-phone is not smart - the inventor of this phone is smart! We all are humans, and we should consider our potential.” Now that's a sure sign of someone inspired.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

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