Eric Harrell | Mechanical Engineering

Personal Project

While rebuilding the engine in my personal vehicle, I decided to create 3D models of the engine with plans to print a working model.  Using SolidWorks, each part was modeled with the limitations of current consumer 3D printers in mind.  The final product was a 35% scaled model with over 80 parts, 1.5kg of plastic, and over 3 days of total print time.  With the exception of some bearings and hardware, all parts are printed.

After finishing the 3D models and printing the parts, I decided to upload and share all the files to Thingiverse.com so that others could print and assemble their own engines.  Along with the 3D files, I created assembly drawings and instructions to ease assembly for others. The "Thing" was quickly featured on the Thingiverse website and users touted it as the "most complex model on the site" and "the best example of what 3D printing can do".