In one of his latest videos, YouTuber Robert Murray-Smith has presented a fully 3D-printed engine that works with a piston and an innovative rotary valve. The models for this project are available for free on the Thingiverse platform and offer an exciting basis for hobbyists and technology enthusiasts.
The project is based on a piston that he has developed in the past. The engine combines two unique elements: a down-force piston and a specially designed rotary valve. This valve controls the flow of air or fluid and allows the piston to move in both directions. According to Murray-Smith, the valve performs the central function that makes the engine a functional system.
The engine was assembled from a manageable number of components. The piston, the valve and the crankshaft are the main components. In his video, Murray-Smith gives precise instructions on how to align the parts during printing in order to avoid weak points in the structure. Only a few standard parts such as ball bearings and spacers are required to assemble the engine.
A particular highlight of the project is the drive solution. Murray-Smith shows how the motor can be operated with both compressed air and a vacuum. In his case, an ordinary vacuum cleaner was used as the source of the air flow, which is a cost-effective alternative to a compressor.
During operation, it became apparent that the design required some optimization, for example with regard to the tightness of the valve. Nevertheless, the engine worked impressively and demonstrated the possibilities of 3D printing in the production of functional mechanical systems.
The 3D model can be found free of charge on Thingiverse here or here.
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