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Air Engine (Updated 1/25/09)

last photo ←

This is a very short video less than 10 seconds.

This is the better video.

This was the semester long project we did in class for Machine Tool Technology at the University of Central Missouri. I would like to hook the engine up to something and do tests.

The base is made out of a 3/4 in thick aluminum and the body and cylinder is mild steel. The flywheel and crank is made out of brass. I used most tools that you would use with metals. Vertical mill, horizontal mill, metal lathe, drill press and grinding machine, thread tap. I even machined the threads on the wrist pin.

Here are the plans if any one is interested in making them or for some info on how this was made.

* public.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pvwJbT3Sr-6wibwZsgJTR5VnWkxxhWWGjLZoggnt5-pY1mboxPT7eVxhNbeerDtAp2NcseSSyxU-1Q3a1eoiOjA/AIR_ENGINE.zip
1-2MB .ZIP file with 8 .PDF files for parts.

36 comments

Aug 13, 2010. 8:39 PMtomblik says:

The sophomore engineering design lab at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte has each of their students machine one of these every semester. I have taught the lab over several semesters and enjoyed the work. Its nice to see other schools doing the same thing. Too many mechanical engineering schools focus only on the theory and no practical courses. The student needs to get their hands dirty to understand how their designs are eventually produced. Good job. As a former lab instructor, I give you two thumbs up despite the cracks in your flywheel.

Jul 17, 2010. 4:02 PM

Dr Qui says:

Nicely engineered project,

I built a model steam engine complete with boiler and burner when I was Technical college in 1988-89 It earned me a distinction in my grade.

That was back in the day when students where allowed to build things like boilers that had the potential to explode.

Keep up the good work,

Andy.

Jun 23, 2010. 7:48 PMcaseyb1101 says:

I wish Rolla made one of these. We just made a clock...

Apr 27, 2010. 1:12 AMsamuel10 says:

hi rob, i am machining parts for the air engine could i please have information on assembly just need to know if parts have to be press fit. thank you.

Apr 27, 2010. 3:28 PM

Rob K (author) says:

A few parts need to be press fitted.

Crank - connector, and shaft

Piston - connecting rod cap

Body - Wrist pin

I don't have it with me right now to explain it better.

Apr 28, 2010. 12:11 AMsamuel10 says:

Hi rob what size spring will i need.? and do you have an assembly drawing.

Dec 18, 2009. 7:23 PMBoiseTyler says:

Hi Rob, you gave me permission to post this engine to my site several months back. I went to do it tonight and I discovered that the link isn't working. I'm unable to download the PDF plans.

I see that you've tried to fix the link but it's still not available to download. If you have a second, can you pop over to my site and send me the PDF (I'll get them via an e-mail if you send them though the "Submit Your Plans" link). After I post them feel free to link to them here since you're having trouble with LiveFileStore.

The site is ProjectsInMetal.com

Thanks!

Tyler

Dec 18, 2009. 8:31 PM

Rob K (author) says:

I'm not sure why the link is not working.

AIR_ENGINE.zip1 MB

Dec 19, 2009. 10:56 AMBoiseTyler says:

Excellent, thanks!

Aug 19, 2009. 3:36 PMacdc1226 says:

i cant get the download

Aug 19, 2009. 5:34 PM

Rob K (author) says:

Should work now.

Sep 6, 2009. 5:14 AMewok01 says:

Sorry Rob K, the link Air Engine still doesn't work.

Sep 12, 2009. 12:12 PM

Rob K (author) says:

Im not sure why the link is messing up.

http://e0d3ng.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pbAhztvqKhQRcgXx8tmt3cybwCOYkWR6eitCDKFBwx2SSsSU0rm3HE80BEV88uG8zujbyJ64x9vedutWtNXBItoYR4pzAOc_n/AIR_ENGINE.zip?download

May 22, 2009. 4:18 PMLego man says:

how much/good is the torque on this? i was going to make a small car thing out of one and i needed to see how many pistons it needed.

Apr 16, 2009. 12:35 PMj.cannon.1311 says:

how did you make the wrist pin ? did you get a piece of threaded rod and drill through the middle. i was looking at the plans and wondering how!!

Apr 17, 2009. 10:08 AM

Rob K (author) says:

The threads where turned on a lathe 16tpi. Not as hard as you might think.

Apr 15, 2009. 6:49 AMnarcoduck says:

Hi! I've made one of these for my Apprenticeship course for Becton Dickinson in the UK, but I also need to write a report on it. Could I possibly use your air engine as an example of another educational establishment's use of the air engine as a machining challenge? I could send you a couple of pics of the groups final products if you like. Josh.

Apr 17, 2009. 10:06 AM

Rob K (author) says:

I don't know what you mean by pictures of final projects? Every group made a air engine.

Mar 8, 2009. 3:05 AMBoiseTyler says:

Hey, would you mind if I added your project to my site - ProjectsInMetal.com?

I'm always looking for fun projects to add to the site and I think my readers would get a kick out of yours. I don't have very many quality engine plans that are still within the scope of a beginner, so yours would be perfect! You can let me know by clicking on my name here and sending me a private message, or by visiting my site and filling out the contact form.

Thanks in advance!

Mar 9, 2009. 7:52 AM

Rob K (author) says:

You have a nice site going there I don't mind it if it was added. I don't think the school would mind either.

Dec 3, 2008. 6:56 PMBongmaster says:

looks just like a steam engine i have the plans for somewhere :) i forgot its name tho...

142

Dec 4, 2008. 4:44 AM

Kiteman says:

It is a steam engine - many hobby steam-modellers run their stationary engines on compressed air instead, so they can run several engines in a display without having to worry about visitors getting burned, or the fuss of re-fuelling and filling boilers during a show.

Dec 5, 2008. 9:27 AM

Rob K (author) says:

What if I ran it on steam? I have always wanted to make or buy a steam engine that has a boiler. This is air and that threaded fitting on the body is one of those air needles for filling basket balls and foot balls.

Dec 5, 2008. 11:01 AMBongmaster says:

u can get a nice kit from here:
http://www.chasteam.com/steamkitstomakeup.htm
the one at the top of the page is the one i have. tho i need tools to make it :D

its a nice kit tho :)

Dec 9, 2008. 2:17 AM

Rob K (author) says:

Those look neat. What do you mean by tools? Like what I used to make the air engine?

Dec 9, 2008. 6:35 AMBongmaster says:

yea i have no access to a workshop :(

Dec 4, 2008. 7:08 AMBongmaster says:

i know that XD i was saying its the same as the plans i got ;)

Dec 3, 2008. 7:04 PM

Rob K (author) says:

When it runs it sounds like one, but at higher RPM.

Dec 4, 2008. 1:03 AMBongmaster says:

so do u have tech drawings of it? :) that would be nice to see.

Dec 4, 2008. 3:28 AM

Rob K (author) says:

I added them Look in the description.

Dec 4, 2008. 7:08 AMBongmaster says:

woohoo!

Dec 4, 2008. 9:24 AMaaron7575 says:

that's pretty cool, i also have one just like that one on my desk here at work from CMSU (UCM). I hook mine up to canned air every once in a while, and it runs nicely on as little psi as from a can.

Dec 4, 2008. 4:54 PM

Rob K (author) says:

When did you make yours? They changed a few things here and there but nothing big. They made the piston rod a little longer and sandblasted the base before doing the chamfer.

Dec 3, 2008. 10:22 PMgarrettmikesmith says:

wow dude, i made one of these 2 years ago in sophomore year of high school. yours looks way better tho, granted i did make mine in like 3 weeks.

Dec 3, 2008. 10:51 PM

Rob K (author) says:

Thanks. Yours looks very similar with the body and cylinder. I like the clear base.

Dec 3, 2008. 11:28 PMgarrettmikesmith says:

thanks. it's inch thick acrylic. yeah they're similar designs, but i noticed some decorative stuff on yours that mine doesn't have. and mine routes exhaust out a "v" groove on the side rather than going through the mount. i wish i used brass, that looks so nice.