Rippl3D’s Wind Turbine Challenge enables players to design and 3D print wind turbine blades to understand turbine blade geometries affect performance. Change the behavior of the wind source and see how it affects turbine blade performance. The challenge supports a variety of ways to play so you can mix it up and always have something different to explore.
Rotational inertia, aerodynamic force, torque, area, electrical power generation.
In the Max Power test stand, the 3D printed Wind Turbines are mounted to an electric motor that is exposed to a
wind source. Our test stands use computer cooling fans that generate roughly 50CFM. Using a voltmeter the millivolts of electricity can be measured and the power generated can be calculated.
Altering the wind source speed and shape changes the optimization of the Wind Turbine Blades. Can you identify what changes drive optimization when wind speed is faster? slower? wider? narrower?
The Turbine Blades have four parameters that can be adjusted
A Challenge type can be selected to best suite the event audience.
Power generation is determined by measuring any two of the following Voltage (V), Current (I), or Resistance (R). With these measurements, the Power can be calculated with the appropriate formula from the formula wheel. The unit used for Power is Watts (similar to the units for Length can be Inches or Centimeters).
In the Wind Turbine Challenge 2.0 you will use the voltage and resistance measurements to calculate the Power your wind turbine blades are producing.
Using the equation P = V²/R and measuring Voltage and Resistance you will be able to determine the power produced.
Voltage Measurements
Resistance Measurements
1 Volt = 1,000 milliVolts
1 Watt = 1,000 milliWatts =1,000,000 microWatts
The Turbine Blade Design Challenge helps players design and built custom turbine blades. Players use the design tables to configure unique turbine blade designs and then download the STL file for printing.
The Unlimited Design Challenge Type is a great way to incorporate STEAM. For this challenge, players are expected to design and build unique turbine blades that interface with the test stand. It is their job to review the test stand interfaces and determine the right fit to perform. This challenge provides multiple scoring options It is important to remind players that most of us will not buy a car that we think is “ugly” and we still want it to “perform”! STEAM integrates the beauty we like with the performance we want.
How To Play
Scoring