Cameron Heidrick
Wichita Homeschool
Kansas BEST
PRUSA 2024 3D PRINTING CHALLENGE
WATER CONDENSER AND FILTER
PROCESS: The Wichita Homeschool Robotics CAD sub-team began by reading the Request For Proposal (RFP) to understand the guidelines. The Sub-team then met with mentors to research multiple water condensation and filtration systems. A select few designs were then voted on for our mission.
The filters now narrowed down; the CAD sub-team made rapid prototypes then picked the most effective design. They then modeled and printed the chosen filter for testing. After the successful run-throughs, the sub team collaborated with the Special Projects sub-team to create the model description.
DESIGN SUMMARY: The design is based on a water purifier that uses sunlight to evaporate the water inside of the container. Water drips down a panel into a separate sealed container. Mercury and all the other contaminants of water in the moon’s atmosphere are denser than water, and typically have a higher temperature of evaporation. There is a small indentation at the bottom of the first chamber which will collect any solid or liquid contaminants, and which can be removed. As water evaporates from the air onto the panel it will separate itself from the contaminants and will no longer be contaminated.
QUALITY: The project is comprised of 6 pieces. Four of these are screws, plus a rough-surfaced plexiglass panel and the 3D printed component. The 3D printed component is made of two chambers. One chamber has walls with slots throughout. This allows air to enter the chamber, and keeps heat in. Due to its dark color, this chamber causes the air to heat up from sunlight. This causes moisture to collect onto a panel. The water will then drip into a collection chamber. When the condenser is fully assembled, there are holes in the second chamber including a port for a hose to let water out, and a small slot on the top edge of the chamber which allows water from the panel to collect.
To assemble the condenser, align the plexiglass panel to the top of the 3D printed component and attach with four screws. There are indentations on top of the component to help align the screws.
PRINTER INFORMATION:
Printer type – Bambu Lab P1S
Infill – 15%
Brim - 5
Supports - Tree
Filament Type - Bambu PLA Basic
The author marked this model as their own original creation.
