Autodesk University (AU), held Dec. 1-3, 2009 in Las Vegas, is the annual user conference and exhibition for Autodesk, Inc. The turbo-prop engine was designed by Nino Caldarola, a freelance designer for Autodesk.
188 parts were produced using Stratasys FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling®) technology. The engine’s design was created using Autodesk Inventor 2010 mechanical design and engineering software and produced on Fortus 3D Systems from Stratasys. The sophisticated turbo-prop engine model showcases the nearly limitless potential of 3D printing and production.
The engine’s gear box includes two sets of gears, which operate two sets of propellers that move in counter rotation to each other. With an engine length of over 10 feet, a blade-span of 10.5 feet, and 188 components, the engine model is massive in size. It includes several large parts, such as six propeller blades, each measuring 4.5 feet.
The turbo-prop engine components are composed of the engineering thermoplastic ABS. FDM is the only additive fabrication process that uses real engineering thermoplastics. ABS provided the strength to support this large, heavy, assembly.
View the video of the Turbo Prop at AutoDesk.