Lenz Turbine – 3D‑Printed Aerodynamic Wind Spinner
Print Profile(2)
Bill of Materials
Description
Boost Me (for free)
If you like this model, give it a little push with a Boost Token — it helps a lot and makes my 3D printer smile while it’s working 😄
The Lenz Turbine is an aerodynamic wind spinner inspired by the geometry of Lenz‑type induction turbines. Designed to rotate even in light wind, it delivers smooth, continuous motion thanks to its curved blade profile and balanced mass distribution.
The project includes two 3D‑printed parts and two standard mechanical components, making it easy to assemble and ideal for decorative, educational, and STEM applications.
🧩 Required Components
3D‑printed parts (included)
- Turbine
- Support base
Non‑printed components
- 1× ball bearing Ø22 mm with Ø8 mm inner hole
- 1× shaft Ø8 mm, length ≥ 40 mm
- Optional: 1× small DC motor to use as a generator
The optional motor allows the turbine to produce low‑voltage DC electricity, making it suitable for demonstrations of renewable energy, micro‑generation, and basic electronics.
⚙️ Key Features
- Geometry inspired by Lenz turbines
- Spins smoothly even in low wind
- Fully support‑free design
- Compatible with standard 22×8 mm bearing
- Shaft interface: Ø8 mm
- Optional DC generator setup
- Stable base (Ø205 mm)
- Optimized curved blade profiles (R5, R8.23, R87.5)
- Perfect for balconies, gardens, classrooms, and STEM demonstrations
- STEP files available for customization
📐 Technical Specifications (from the engineering drawing)
Turbine
- Outer diameter: Ø175 mm
- Central hole: Ø9 mm (fits Ø8 mm shaft via bearing)
- Main radii: R5 – R8.23 – R87.5
- Key dimensions: 7 mm, 22 mm, 50.6 mm, 72.5 mm, 134 mm
Base
- Outer diameter: Ø205 mm
- Internal diameters: Ø26 mm – Ø22 mm – Ø9 mm
- Height: 11 mm
- Characteristic thickness: 14.91 mm
🛠️ 3D Printing Guidelines
Recommended materials
- PLA → easy, clean finish
- PETG → better outdoor resistance
Suggested settings
- Layer height: 0.2 mm
- Infill: 15–20%
- No supports required
- Moderate print speed for optimal blade quality
Orientation
- Turbine: hub facing downward
- Base: flat on the build plate
🔧 Assembly
- Insert the 22×8 mm bearing into the turbine hub.
- Insert the Ø8 mm shaft (≥40 mm) into the bearing.
- Mount the shaft onto the base.
- (Optional) Connect the shaft to a small DC motor to use the turbine as a generator.
- Test rotation with a gentle blow or light wind.
- Install outdoors for best performance.
⚡ Optional: DC Power Generation
By connecting the rotating shaft to a small DC motor, the turbine can generate low‑voltage direct current. This makes it ideal for:
- Renewable energy demonstrations
- Classroom experiments
- Small LED lighting tests
- STEM projects involving electricity and motion
🎯 Ideal Use Cases
- Garden or balcony decoration
- Physics and technology school projects
- Aerodynamics demonstrations
- Renewable energy experiments
- Kinetic art installations
- Makers seeking a clean, functional, elegant design
🏷️ SEO‑Optimized Tags
Lenz turbine wind spinner 3D printed turbine kinetic sculpture outdoor spinner vertical axis turbine bearing spinner STEM model aerodynamics demo support free print DC generator renewable energy model
Boost Me (for free)
If you like this model, give it a little push with a Boost Token — it helps a lot and makes my 3D printer smile while it’s working 😄
License
You shall not share, sub-license, sell, rent, host, transfer, or distribute in any way the digital or 3D printed versions of this object, nor any other derivative work of this object in its digital or physical format (including - but not limited to - remixes of this object, and hosting on other digital platforms). The objects may not be used without permission in any way whatsoever in which you charge money, or collect fees.
Comment & Rating (1)