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A 3D-printed desktop fan designed to look like a jet engine / plane reactor. This project combines basic electronics with custom 3D-printed parts to build a functional and visually striking fan that captures the aesthetic of an aircraft turbine. |
- About the Project
- Demo
- Bill of Materials
- CAD Files
- CAD Previews
- Wiring
- Finished Build
- How to Build
- License
- Contributing
I built this project out of my passion for aviation and the iconic look of jet engines. It is a straightforward build — much simpler than my RC plane project — requiring only salvaged electronics and 3D-printed parts in PLA.
To use it:
- Plug it in via USB-C.
- Flip the on/off switch.
- Control fan speed with the slide potentiometer.
| Item | Description | Quantity | Source | Unit Price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB-C Charge Module | USB-C charge module (salvaged from a vape) | 1 | Salvaged | €0.00 | €0.00 |
| Printer Motor | DC motor (salvaged from a printer) | 1 | Salvaged | €0.00 | €0.00 |
| Switch | Simple on/off switch (salvaged from an old kit) | 1 | Salvaged | €0.00 | €0.00 |
| Slide Potentiometer | Variable resistor slider pot (salvaged from a guitar) | 1 | Salvaged | €0.00 | €0.00 |
| White PLA | Wanhao White PLA 1kg | 492 g | Store purchase | €20/kg | €9.84 |
| Black PLA | Wanhao Black PLA 1kg | 218 g | Store purchase | €20/kg | €4.36 |
Total estimated cost: ~€14.20 (when salvaging the electronic components)
All CAD files are available in both Fusion 360 (.f3d) and STEP (.step) formats for maximum compatibility.
| Component | Fusion 360 | STEP |
|---|---|---|
| Reactor structure | CAD reactor/plane reactor.f3d |
CAD reactor/plane reactor.step |
| Motor adaptor | CAD motor adaptator/motor adaptator.f3d |
CAD motor adaptator/motor adaptator.step |
| Support | CAD support/support.f3d |
CAD support/support.step |
CAD software used: Autodesk Fusion 360
| Reactor Structure | Support & Adaptorptor | Motor Adaptor |
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The circuit is minimal: a USB-C module powers the motor through an on/off switch and a slide potentiometer for speed control.
| Wiring Diagram — Overview | Wiring Diagram — Detail |
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- Print the parts — Print all three components (
reactor structure,motor adaptor,support) using PLA. White and black PLA are used for contrast, but any colour works. - Assemble the motor — Attach the printer motor to the reactor body using the motor adaptor.
- Mount the support — Attach the support to the bottom of the reactor so it stands upright.
- Wire the electronics — Follow the wiring diagrams above. Connect the USB-C module → switch → potentiometer → motor.
- Power on — Plug in a USB-C cable, flip the switch, and adjust speed with the potentiometer.
This project is licensed under the MIT License — see the LICENSE file for details.
Contributions, improvements, and remixes are welcome! Please read the CONTRIBUTING.md guide to get started.
