Final Prototype Assembly

     Today the Team began assembling the Final Wind Turbine Design. Earlier in the day, the Blade Stabilizer were cut out of Balsa Wood by the use of a Laser Cutter (VersaLaser). The stabilizers were cut to the dimensions as previously posted last week. The Laser Printer was an effective means of cutting the Balsa Wood since computed precision is more accurate than that of cutting wood manually and the time it took to cut the wood was 3 minutes total. Following is a photograph showing the cut-out wood with the use of a laser:

Figure 1: The laser cut the wood to the previous measurements.

     The assembly process for the Final Wind Turbine Design was slow due to the amount of effort the Team exerted to correctly align all the parts, i.e. the central Dowel rod and the Stabilizers.

Figure 2: Wind turbine assembly showing blade stabilizers attached to dowel rod and motor.

Firstly, the central Dowel Rod was drilled into its center 3/4" at one end in order to be flush when the motor's rod was inserted into it.

Figure 3: Hole drilled to approximately same size as motor shaft

Additionally, the Dowel Rod was drilled to the size of the average picture-hanging nail diameter (1/16") so that a pin may fasten the Dowel Rod in place. Secondly, the magnet holder and 8 stacked magnets (Rare Earth Neodymium) were added so that the Dowel rod may rotate freely with less friction due to gravity.

Figure 4: Magnets attached around base of dowel rod shaft.

 Next, the three Blade Stabilizers were attached to the central Dowel Rod evenly spaced apart, so that the Blades do not break itself apart. Finally, the 6 Blades are attached to the Stabilizers at 60 degrees around the Central Dowel Rod to maximize the Power Output.