Tesla Turbine
All the machined pieces of the turbine ready for assembly.
The drawing for the aluminum bearing housing, one of the most challenging parts to machine.
The completed turbine fully assembled
Learning
High precision complex parts on both the manual lathe and mill
Lots of new techniques such as roll form taping, measuring tightly tolleranced internal features and much more
Using the 2.5 axis capabilities on the Bridgport style mills.
Description
In the class Fundamentals of Machine Shop Operations, about half way through the semester you are handed a stack of drawing and stock and are set loose to machine a Tesla Turbine which uses compressed air to spin up to in excess of 20,000rmp. I very much enjoyed this deep dive into machining, so much so that I have been a course assistant for the following two semesters.