BALLOON POWERED HOVER CRAFT 3D print model

Hover CraftI present to you a functional balloon powered hovercraft!

Do you remember making a hovercraft out of CDs as a kid? Here is the future! This is a balloon powered hovercraft that works just like the CD version but inspired by everyone’s favourite benchmark boat. Capable of carrying Lego Mini figures and light cargo for up to a minute.

TechnologyThis hover craft includes a 20mm air inlet on the top for a latex party balloon. This air is distributed internally to 4 nozzles and a series of groves on the bottom to create an aerostatic bearing that significantly reduces sliding friction.

To ensure the best performance the bottom face needs to be flat. To achieve this I recommend using a glass bed for flatness, an enclosure to prevent peeling and ensuring a good first layer. A brim also helps a lot and is easy to trim back. The design is tolerant to a less than perfect bottom surface but these tips will give you the best chance of success.