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Maxwell's Wheel

Maxwell’s wheel is an axle-mounted flywheel suspended at both ends by a nylon cord (or string). When the wheel is dropped, gravitational potential energy is converted to kinetic energy linearly by rotational motion. In this lesson, students will design and make their own Maxwell wheel suitable for 3D printing.
Subjects
Design and TechnologyScienceMathematicsComputing
Years | Grades
7th Grade | 11-12 years8th Grade | 12-13 years9th Grade | 13-14 years10th Grade | 14-15 years11th Grade | 15-16 years
Duration
Lesson 1: 90 minutes Print Time: 4 hours

MAXWELL WHEEL trailer
Play 0:42

Objectives

  • Explain the purpose of a Maxwell wheel
  • Investigate, through practical experimentation, how kinetic energy can be transformed into potential energy
  • Create a Maxwell Wheel suitable for 3D printing
 

Tools and equipment

  • BE3D EDEE Printer
  • Example Maxwell wheel models
  • Access to a computer that can access the internet and TinkerCAD®
  • Paper pad and pencil
  • Printed lesson resources
 

Skill requirements

To participate in the lesson, students should be able to: 

  • Use TinkerCAD, Fusion 360 or Similar CAD software at an intermediate level

  • Be comfortable using DeeControl2 software including adjusting print settings

  • Use the BE3D EDEE 3D printer

MAXWELL WHEEL walkthrough
Locked Play 8:52

3D models overview

  • Total print time 4 hours 5 minutes
  • Total filament 8.41 m
  • Additional non-printable components
  • Printed all at once
MAXWELL WHEEL pt 01
  • 1 hour 15 minutes
  • 3.24 m
MAXWELL WHEEL pt 02
  • 40 minutes
  • 1.31 m
MAXWELL WHEEL pt 03
  • 1 hour
  • 2.51 m
MAXWELL WHEEL pt 04
  • 10 minutes
  • 0.11 m
MAXWELL WHEEL pt 05
  • 1 hour
  • 1.24 m
Note: Values are calculated for one set of models.

Lesson resources

  • Lesson plan 

  • Example Maxwell wheel models

  • Worksheet 

  • Walkthrough 

  • Presentation 

  • 3D Models 

  • 3D Print instructions 

  • Curriculum Alignment 

This is a premium 3D lesson plan. Premium content is available to licensed YSoft BE3D eDee users. Become a licensed YSoft BE3D eDee user.
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