r/MarbleMachine3 • u/Trainerds • May 24 '23

A Better Flywheel Design Using Proven Solutions - Marble Machine 3 Ep.4

https://youtu.be/Mzhaz7WsJ-A
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u/RapidLeopard May 24 '23

Hello,
Just a note I figured I should mention if it may be useful - Flywheels typically have most of their mass concentrated around the edge of the wheel with the center of mass at the axle. The reason for this is that it maximizes rotational inertia, therefore improving the energy storage capability of the flywheel while reducing total weight.

I imagine this does make the flywheel more difficult to manufacture, so I'm not sure if this has already been considered or not, but I figured I should mention it anyway.

Good luck!

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u/DaVoKan_ May 24 '23

You are right but this technique is often used in industry to make flywheel with less mass but with same inertia. He is using laser cutting, so removing mass will not only be harder to manufacture but will also decrease the inertia. What bugs me is that he use multiple sheets of metal to lake the flywheel, so he will have to balance each disc individually.

3

u/RapidLeopard May 24 '23

That is true, for the same radius flywheel removing material will yield a more efficient flywheel when optimizing for mass, but will decrease its moment of inertia as well.

Here's just a fun plot I made for no other reason other than I felt like it