Mini Pottery Wheel

ME208 Final P

Any Generic Brushless BLDC Brushless Motor Outrunner -- Example: https://www.amazon.com/PUSLAKO-Brushless-Outrunner-Multi-Copter-Quadcopter/dp/B0CMWRQ6V9/ref=sr_1_5?crid=36W8VJR58BTWR&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AaWUogGYn61Zc6S1u4EQquJngVtxhOZ9HCv8tvQehwqYkqN9cLma4sxsm7q6952JRHgWllixSbgr2jcrlk89iVsV8meFZrUpkBhm2O4HpkfNkvMJC_C5oZPXFQIXiJaTbXshEIaBnuVtTBuWLwnY27PfLdq28VRj9LQbuhEEyA9RWySKWpKy07dMXjnFQxMOV53ODQPCcWbzgEQrmyIJHfRPh58oOsEUKzb2gI4SLA7cvAdtldltJZRBfkkcRnw5uQt9XlW0r0MhM65VWnFIq_zceNqLmq7-YvrG0xP72kA.b8SaNGCd4O_D54gkodvGO6eSQeVxWgaPMCznB7qN_iI&dib_tag=se&keywords=1000kv%2Bbrushless%2Bmotor&qid=1777847537&sprefix=%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-5&th=1

Any Generic Brushless ESC with Banana Plugs -- Example: https://www.amazon.com/Brushless-Controller-Airplanes-Multi-axis-Helicopter/dp/B0CN317H74/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2MEU5VI6LREPD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cDLE6WP-isAS8XBXRZ3N3exI361pRgIDXxieSt51PEWLjmmHw0D_PQIlGIx2ytbYJap64KcedmbGsHfdgIX8m3vUBBX7axS3S3g7WSAaIpG1JVzSZKe2Hyl0aFT9Vh9jZC8LKTEH63zOQJU6EYQsv_ptC0Nu6cftlMTpxzDzWIg2Atp7GdNssU9uZzDo26tIBQL7WSlFL__XoApv4MkltoUXZNAdL1rt7UqCpynPQuI.8L1JqIORu3y8-kH-t2YpVU-KJVpjUP1QvxezRACXQTs&dib_tag=se&keywords=ESC&qid=1777847679&sprefix=esc+%2Caps%2C163&sr=8-2

Ardunio Uno R3

Breadboard + Wires

Potentiometer

Any 3S 11.1V Lipo Battery (the larger the battery, the longer you can run the wheel)

8x M4 15mm Panhead Screws and Nuts

14X M3 20mm Panhead Screws and Nuts

2x 15x10x4mm Ball Bearings

2x 27x20x4mm Ball bearings

~400-500g of PLA Filament

Clay

CAD File Link:

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/c23d896a7d55cd0c87d75f0f/w/cb83287718fbd80a873f5618/e/1f2e40da89e7e30f271141a2

Code:

3D Printing: Print all components using a 0.2mm layer height with 15-25% infill.

Strength Tip: For the gears and motor housing, it is recommended to use at least 3 wall perimeters to handle the mechanical stress of the gear train.

Material: PLA is suitable for the housing, but ensure your gear prints are clean of any "zits" or blobs to ensure smooth rotation.

Nut Seating: Insert all captured nuts and bearings into their respective slots.

Pro Tip: If the captured nut slots are tight, use a long M3/M4 screw to "pull" the nut into the recess for a secure fit.

Feet: Attach the 3D-printed feet to the base. Ensure they are level to prevent the wheel from wobbling during use.

Assembly: Secure the brushless motor in the motor housing.

Wiring: Route the three motor wires through the designated exit port before attaching the housing and lower bearing block to the base.

Alignment: Ensure the motor is seated flush so the drive shaft is perfectly vertical.

Upper Block: Attach the upper bearing block to the top half of the base.

Bearings: Insert the bearings into both the lower and upper bearing blocks.

Drive Gear: Place the small pinion gear on the motor shaft and secure it with the mounting screw.

Gear Alignment: Position the remaining gears as shown in the assembly image.

Maintenance Tip: Apply a small amount of plastic-safe grease (like white lithium grease) to the gear teeth to reduce noise and friction.

Fitment: Carefully align the top and bottom base halves, ensuring the gear shafts seat correctly into the upper bearings.

Fastening: Use the M4 15mm screws to secure the two halves together. Do not over-tighten, as this may crack the PLA.

Housing: Secure the Arduino Uno and ESC into the electronics housing.

Airflow: Ensure the ESC is positioned so that it has some breathing room, as it can generate heat during extended throwing sessions.

Motor to ESC: Connect the three motor wires to the ESC banana plugs. (If the motor spins backward later, swap any two of these wires).

Arduino Signal: Connect the ESC signal wire (usually white or orange) to Digital Pin 9 and the ground wire (black or brown) to the GND rail.

Potentiometer: Connect the center pin to Analog Pin A0, and the outer pins to the 5V and GND rails.

Power: Use the Arduino to provide 5V/GND to the breadboard rails.

Safety: Before plugging in the LiPo battery, ensure the potentiometer is turned all the way down.

Operation: Upload your code, plug in the battery, and slowly turn the potentiometer to start the wheel.

When using the pottery wheel, it is important to actively apply water to the clay to ensure smooth forming and to reduce the friction of the clay on the motor.

Just paste this into your Arduino IDE

/*

Project Code

*/

#include <Servo.h> // Motor

Servo ESC;

int Speed;

void setup() {

ESC.attach(9,1000,1500); // ESC on pin 9 recieves pulses between 1 and 2 miliseconds in length

}

void loop() {

Speed = analogRead(A0); // Speed equals the pot val

Speed = map(Speed, 0 , 1023, 0, 180); // mapping the speed

ESC.write(Speed); // speed written for the motor

}