Dutch Windmill

    This Dutch windmill has been designed by Tinkerman in such a way that it can be 3D printed on an FDM 3D printer.

    You can download all the pieces from here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2790530

     When i decided to print the windmill, the initial idea was just to print the mill and that's it, however I thought it would be more interesting to add some electronics and get the blades to rotate and add some lights inside the windmill. This was my first big print. It was a project that took me almost 6 months to finish.

     This was my first big print. It was a project that took me almost 6 months to finish. From printing all the pieces (big pieces, take almost 1 day to print), polish all the pieces, apply the primer and finally paint.

     The windmill is designed to be motorized using the 12V DC Motor.

Dimensions of the windmill:

• Height (body): 400 mm;
• Total height with blades pointing up: 540 mm;
• Total blade span: 420 mm;
• Width (footprint): 181 mm;
• Platform width: 276 mm.

Fig.1 - Render - View from the front of the windmill.

Fig.2 - Render - View from the back of the windmill.

Fig.3 - Render - Side view of the windmill.

     The motor used was a stepper motor: Nema 17 Bipolar 1.8deg 26Ncm (36.8oz.in) 0.4A 12V 42x42x34mm 4 Wires.

Electrical Specification of the motor:

• Manufacturer Part Number: 17HS13-0404S1;
• Motor Type: Bipolar Stepper;
• Step Angle: 1.8 deg;
• Holding Torque: 26Ncm(36.8oz.in);
• Rated Current/phase: 0.4A;
• Voltage: 12V;
• Phase Resistance: 30ohms;
• Inductance: 37mH ± 20%(1KHz).

Physical Specification of the motor:

• Frame Size: 42 x 42mm;
• Body Length: 34mm;
• Shaft Diameter: Φ5mm;
• Front Shaft Length: 20mm;
• D-cut Length: 15mm;
• Number of Leads: 4;
• Lead Length: 1000mm;
• Weight: 230g.

Fig.4 - Stepper motor Nema 17.

    All parts were printed in PLA, depending on the type of precision that the part is wanted, they were printed with 0.1mm, 0.2mm or 0.3mm layer hight. All parts were printed with 20% Infiil.

In terms of electronics, it was used:

• 1 x Stepper motor 12V 0.4A;
• 1 x Arduino uno;
• 2 x White LEDs;
• 1 x Potenciometer;
• 1 x Motor controller;
• 1 x PCB Board;
• 1 x On/Off Switch;
• 1 x Fan 40x40x10mm DC 12V;
• 1 x Power Supply 12V.

Fig.5 - All the electronics and fan.

Fig.6 - All the electronics already soldered on PCB.

    For electronics not to be visible, a box was made to match the windmill in which the electronics are stored. It is also possible to control the rotation of the blades.

Fig.7 - Render - Left side of the box.

Fig.8 - Render - Right side of the box.

Fig.9 - 3D Print final box - Left side.

Fig.10 - 3D Print final box - Right side.

Fig.11 - Top part, where air enters and exits.

Fig.12 - Front part of the box.

Fig.13 - Upside of the box.

    All the 3D printed parts were polished. The primary and then the respective color were applied.

    This is the end result of the windmill. Here is a series of photos taken from various angles. Where it is possible to see the details that involved the construction of the mill.

Fig.14 - Geral view of the windmill.

Fig.15 - Front view of the windmill.

Fig.16 - Front view of the windmill II.

Fig.17 - Side view of the windmill.

Fig.18 - Side view of the windmill II.

Fig.19 - Side view of the windmill III.

Fig.20 - Back view of the windmill.

Fig.21 - Bottom view of the windmill.

Fig.22 - Bottom view of the windmill II.