Airlift

Do you need to excavate some silt or gravel? Or just make a big mess in the water? 3D printing to the rescue!

We needed some way to move relatively large amount of pebbles blocking a sump in a cave. This device fits standard 50mm grey waste pipes and there are printed threads for two different inflator nipples I had at hand. A 12L 200bar cylinder lasts a bit over 10 minutes and it is able to lift even pebbles. Basically whatever fits can be lifted. And of course it makes a premium mess in the water :-)

As always I use PETG, 0.2mm layers, no supports. You will need one M5x25 (or longer) bolt, nut and washer, preferably stainless. And of course a cylinder, regulator and an inflator hose.

Here is how we were testing the first prototype … and enjoying it very much :-)