Corner Sofa,Modular Sofa,Fabric Sofa,Leather Sofa Mexarts Household Products Co., Ltd. , https://www.mexartsglobal.com
3D printed remote control turbocharged sled makes summer cool
In the sweltering heat of summer, as a 3D printing enthusiast, you might just find yourself feeling cooler—thanks to this fascinating project: a 3D printed remote-controlled turbo sled. Designed by Michael Christou, a former power plant engineer, this unique creation is still in the experimental phase. Although he hasn’t had the chance to test it outdoors yet, the results from his experiments at a local ice rink have been promising.
Initially, Christou aimed to build a 3D printed hovercraft, but his first design didn’t work well with an impeller-driven system. Instead, it turned out to be more suited for a sled. The sled moves similarly to a traditional one, with the front skid guiding its direction, while the turbine mounted behind provides forward motion.
Christou designed the 3D printed impeller to generate about 215 grams of thrust, and the sled performed even better than expected, accelerating quickly. To prevent the sled from veering off course when hitting walls or obstacles, he added a bumper that acts as a buffer between the sled and the servo-driven steering mechanism.
The core mechanical components used in the sled are commonly found in remote-controlled aircraft or boats, making them easy to source. The most critical part is the servo that controls the front steering. Here’s a list of the electronic components used in Christou’s sled:
- RC Transmitter: DX6i from Spectrum
- Receiver: Orange DMS2 R615
- Controller: Pulsar Brushless 30A
- Servo: Modelcraft MC-410 standard
- Battery: S4 Lipo Turningy 850 mAh 25-50C
The skateboard base is simply a metal plate purchased from a hardware store, but it needs to be sharpened for better gliding. Christou’s version was sharpened to about a 30-degree angle. However, he’s still experimenting with the ideal angle, as too much sharpness can cause the sled to lose control. Since he hasn’t tested it on real snow yet, he plans to adjust the grip in future versions—reducing the front grip and increasing the rear grip, while also redistributing weight toward the back to improve stability.