ThinkFun Balloon Adapter

thingiverse

This is my entry to the ThinkFun challenge 2015.This is a balloon adapter. Building off the ThinkFun philosophy of creating customized machines - cars, trucks, trolleys and others - that can move and/or lift things, this balloon adapter will allow these machines to be air powered. Whether it is a machine to travel on land, see or air this balloon adapter will help take the designs to the next level. The balloon adapter is modeled off the ThinkFun Maker Studio Hub Cap, so it will clip into the large or small connector in the same way. The cross-section view shows that the internal geometry of the nozzle is tapered from the balloon end. This was done to reduce the need for support material in the printing process thus reducing the post processing time. Print Settings Rafts: Doesn't Matter Supports: No Resolution: 0.15 to 0.4 Infill: 20% to 60% Notes: The Balloon adapter should be printed with the balloon end to the print surface. UPDATE 17th October, A friend let be borrow their reprap to print the part. It clips into the ThonkFun parts as designed and the neck holds the balloon with the barb, stopping it from flying off. I might print more ThinkFun parts and build something that is air powered in the coming weeks. Also thinking I might design an "L" adapter so the balloon can be in different orientation