3D Printed Proto Type Model of Pelton Turbine Runner

Abstract

Nowadays, different methods are used in the renewable energy sector for the fabrication of prime movers. A broad classification of the latest additive manufacturing technologies is discussed with ten different parameters like material used, speed, part size, accuracy, application, surface finish, complexity, costing, strength and weakness. Additive manufacturing or 3D printing is also referred to as digital manufacturing technology. 3D printing technology creates physical objects from a geometrical representation by successive addition of materials. Polylactic acid material will be cost-effective to develop the laboratory scale prototype Pelton turbine model. The fused deposition method gives durable products with plastic filament material. FDM provides an optimum condition for the manufacturing of curved surfaces. A step by step process is emphasis for the digital printing of 3D Pelton buckets, runner and shaft. Difficulties associated with the orientation of the Pelton bucket is overcome by using mechanical support structures.