Desktop Wimshurst Machine

thingiverse

This is a 12" Wimshurst machine that I designed off of a toy that I purchased years ago. It was all plastic and as cheaply made as possible and that always bothered me. This design is based more on the original Victorian machine than the toy, but the toy was the inspiration. The purpose of a Wimshurst machine is to generate high voltages for experimentation. It generates a high voltage charge by having 2 discs rotating in opposite directions in close proximity to each other. This causes a buildup of charge on the collector plates (since like charges repel) and those charges are carried to the arms and then into the Layden jars (the predecessor to capacitors). Once there is enough potential charge the air breaks down between the electrodes and you get a spark. This design is made of wood and brass mostly, but a working machine can be made by printing in plastic for all but the plates and the grounding/ collector rods. Wire will be needed to connect Layden jars to the collector arms and needles should be added to the collector arms in the small holes to allow the charge to collect. You will also need a belt to connect the pulleys.