Welcome to the first installment of Curious Contraptions! Here you will find interesting machines I've design with the intent to fascinate and inspire. For this first contraption, I give to you one that is a favorite among kids: an air powered bubble machine! The base bubble machine can be powered by blowing alone, but I have provided the means of connecting a simple motor to allow battery powered operation as well. This mechanism converts air power into mechanical motion to not only dip the bubble wand, but also to turn the Archimedes Screw (one of the oldest mechanisms by the way, it was even used by the ancient Eqyptians to move water) which refills the bubble reservoir. Once assembled, all you need to do is fill the Soap Basin and blow on the turbine. Soap will be loaded into the Bubble Base, and, once it is full, bubbles happen! This mechanism can be powered just by blowing, but this kit includes models which allows you to use a motor, switch and batteries.
Note: Before assembly, you should clip away the s holding up the drain spout on the Bubble Base.
Sealing:
Since this is a water-based mechanism I would strongly reccomend sealing the water storing components. 3D prints are inherently porous and tend to leak. I was able to prevent this by using a single, modest coat of clear nail polish on the inner surfaces of the Bubble Base and Soap Basin (dont put too much in the socket at the bottom of the Soap Basin or your Feed Screw might not turn well!). If you are printing in ABS, nail polish can melt your part so you may want to use a different sealant. Nail polish is not an issue for PLA, which is what I printed mine in. Don't forget to seal the bottom side of the small spout that empties back into the Soap Basin. A soap drop will form on that underside, and if it is not sealed it will work its way back towards the of the Bubble Base. When it touches the main body of the Bubble Base, it will then completely drain all of your soap onto your table...I learned this from bitter experience. That is why I created the Drip Assist component to prevent the soap from getting too adventerous.
Parts Included:
All of my models are designed to be printed and assembled without any additional hardware. For the optional motor, battery pack and switch, I used the following components:
- 2mm x 10mm Shaft, 1.5V-3V DC motor
- 2 x 1.5V AA Battery Holder
- 3A/250V 6A/125V 2 Solder Lug SPST On/Off Rocker Switch
All of these parts are available individually on amazon, or together as a kit All of these parts are available individually on amazon, or together as a kit here
ALL of my designs are protected by Copyright Law. When you purchase, you do NOT have the right to sell any digital file or printed model of my designs without my explicit written consent.
To legally sell them, you may obtain my permission through this link: https://www.patreon.com/One4AllDesigns
https://youtu.be/WwhHbtp6XSg
