This week's 3D printing project... A Hoover Model 450 Impeller

[betam64]

I've been skeptical about printing impellers, but when the original is busted and another one is difficult to come by, I figured it would be a worthy investment. Surprisingly, it actually holds up well and sounds great!

There are still bits that could use tweaked, but I'm happy with how it came out

 

[betam64]

Also, a question I'd like to add to this: What other models share the same impeller as the 450? Would this also fit the 425 and 475 models?

 

[bikerray]

Model 450 fan part # 30687 fit 450 - 475
Model 425 used fan part # 30545

 

[2011hoover700]

I looked in my hoover service manual and according to it the model 475 is the only other model than the 450.
I'll let you know if I find out otherwise.

 

[lesinutah]

Manual

I did post a link a few months ago that had entire hoover parts.
Les

 

[tolivac]

wHAT HAPPENED TO THE ORIGINAL FAN-BOLTS???

 

[madman]

...I feel like it would break apart if it got up to full speed. Hope you printed it completely solid at least.

 

[betam64]

Thank you for the information!!

Les, I must have missed that post (I don't check here as often as I could). Do you think you could send that again?

As for the original blades... I can only imagine. I found rocks, sawdust and nails (and some of the blades) in the bag when I bought it, so I'm guessing that's what happened.

Regarding the durability, you'd be surprised (I sure was). I haven't tried sucking up anything too major like rocks yet, but I sucked up a screw and that went through without damaging it. I'm sure it would reach its breaking point sooner than the original, but it works great under a standard work load with some small debris.

 

[kirby519]

How well balanced is the fan?

Amazing what you can do these days.

 

[betam64]

The 3D model itself is perfectly balanced. The print came out without any errors (that I can tell), and it runs without any rattling, buzzing, or off noises.

 

[kirby519]

That is awesome. What material is the 3D printed fan made of?

 

[real1shep]

Well......

before we all get on that shiny new pony we call 3D printing.....

The consumer machines only layer which is woefully weak compared to plastic mold injection. I've seen the parts fail from these machines quite catastrophically.

There are however, commercial machines approaching a million dollars or more that CAN make durable parts like these. But it takes hrs just to print one piece......so it's not a real company money maker to print parts yet for hobbyists.

If you're lucky enough to KNOW someone that works for one of these companies and has been given permission(in some case encouraged) to diddle around with one of the company machines, you may be able to have something made as a side project.

Other than that, 3D printing for the consumer hobbyist leaves a lot to be desired. But boy-o-boy, people talk about it like there's a machine hard at work on at least every block, putting out durable pieces......

Kevin

 

[kirby519]

I have seen some in action.

Also very much aware that currently it isn't everyday manufacturing process. The process does take hours to complete and very expensive.

Who would have thought in 1980 something like this was even possible.

 

[real1shep]

I've seen some in action too....fail completely and dangerously.....hence trying to bring us back down to the real world, while disputing claims that 3D printing is saving 'hobby' machines from the brink of extinction.

Like virtual reality, which was going to change life as we know it on Earth, 3D printing has a long way to go for the collector/consumer.

Kevin

 

[kirby519]

@ Real1shep

Never said it was perfect.

It is new technology that has it's own set of issues.

It is however interesting to see what the possibilities are that such technology can do. Flawed or not.

 

[blackheart]

Just a thought

I'm not experienced at all in metal working but I've heard of a technique called sand casting which to my knowledge is where a mold is made in a sand like material by pressing something into it. Wouldn't 3d printing allow someone to create a very good copy of an item to create a sand mold?

 

[madman]

Yeah using 3D printed molds for metal casting is a thing. It's kinda convenient compared to making a mold positive from scratch. But casting metals is a whole nother project.

 

[real1shep]

@kirb519....

It's been "new" for over ten yrs now.


Yes, making the molds for sand casting is a perfectly viable option for 3D printing and being done.

Kevin

 

[betam64]

The print is currently in PLA plastic, though I have been thinking of experimenting with mixing other materials

I had been thinking about making a sand mold and using molten aluminum to create stronger impellers, but at the same time, I'd like to share it with others, and this would cause the price to be sky-high.

On another note, I finally got the impeller blades to break when I sucked up a rock. I'm going back to the drawing board with this design, and will likely have the base of the impeller in PLA still, but print the blades in semi-flex filament (semi-flex is practically indestructible...seriously).

I was going to attempt to make a YouTube video demonstrating the different things I subjected the poor impeller to, but...I made a mistake early on that caused a LOT of cat food to be flung around my work station (don't worry, there was a bag on the other end)