3D printed jet engine
2020:
Hello. When I started to make my jet engine in 2020, I had no idea that I will end up with a big leaf blower and some burned up hairdryers. More on that later.
You need a 3D printer and some parts to make this engine. Let’s see how it works. A jet engine keeps an aircraft moving forward using a very simple principle. It’s the same that makes an air-filled balloon move.
The reaction force produced by the high-speed jet at the tail of the jet engine makes it move forward. So, the jet engine is all about producing a High-speed jet stream. Heat makes the air expand tremendously and this will create the high velocity jet. For this purpose, a combustion chamber is used. Combustion requires air to be at high pressure. To do this a set of compressor stages are used. The compressor receives the energy for the rotation from a turbine which is placed right after the combustion chamber. The compressor and turbine are attached to the same shaft. The High-energy jet that leaves the chamber makes the turbine blades turn.
The plan was to use hairdryers and fluid lighters to create enough super hot air to make the engine spin and make it look like a real jet engine. As it turns out the plastic I used melts and the hair dryers shockingly burn very easily. That is a bit scary if you think how close they are to your head when you use them. So that was not a good idea.
A leaf blower (no more fire here) powers the engine well. I also created a turbocharged version with four leaf blowers and variable air flow.
The next project is to make a real jet engine. Here is how to do it with duct tape and an angle grinder. Jet Engine on Youtube
However, I am really interested in the one that requires some welding. Welded Jet Engine
We are getting a MIG welder and will be practicing for this project. More soon.