Project Description
DIY fan made out of RC propeller, wood, and rectangular steel rod.
Process
I welded the stand using a 6 mm thick steel plate and a 45x45 L-shaped steel bar cut at a 45° angle at the top. Next, I attached induction motor, power switch, and cable. Finally, I attached the propeller to the motor axis. The propeller is made of carbon fiber and was initially designed for use on RC airplanes.
Functionality Improvements
The fan is far from perfect. Here are the takeaways and what I learned:
- Dynamic Fatigue The blade is not balanced. An unbalanced rotating object causes dynamic fatigue in the axis and bearings of the induction motor, leading to a significantly shorter life expectancy until failure. The uneven stresses also cause excessive heat, affecting the motor's operation. From an engineering perspective, this is unacceptable and should be minimized.
- Propeller Performance The sleek carbon fiber propeller may perform well for RC aircraft that rotate at significantly higher speeds. However, it is not a good fan when placed on a weak motor. Although it operates surprisingly silently, the air it pushes is rather small. Nonetheless, it does generate a pleasant and constant breeze that I enjoy during hot nights.
- Electrical Conduction The cables are hidden in the inner corner of the L-shaped steel bar and are somewhat exposed. The electric motor is also fully exposed, without any protective casing. If the cables become damaged, the metal construction poses a risk of electrical shock to anyone who touches it.
- The Switch The switch is stupidly located just beneath the tips of the propeller, making it dangerous to turn off the device. When the blades are spinning, you don't want to place your fingers anywhere near them - a total blunder.
- Propeller enclosure (cage). The device will show no mercy for anything that comes within range of its sharp carbon-fiber blade. You'd better keep your fingers away from it.
In the summer of 2022, the Triennale Milano Museum hosted an exhibition showcasing Italian design from the past century. Among the iconic pieces, I found a table fan, the Zerowatt VE505, designed by Ezio Pirali in 1953. It instantly sparked a memory of my own little project. Although humble in comparison, it held a seed of inspiration for another project - perhaps a fan that I will build in the future.
Gallery
