Autodesk Inventor Modeling Pelton Turbine Bucket
An educational CAD and manufacturing project developed by high school students
In this project, we focus on the 3D modeling of a Pelton turbine bucket using Autodesk Inventor, following a clear and educational approach suitable for students and beginners in mechanical design.
The video tutorial shows only the modeling of the Pelton bucket.
The modeling of the shaft and the support disk is intentionally not included, as these parts are considered elementary from a CAD perspective and do not add significant educational value compared to the bucket itself, which is the most complex and interesting component of the turbine.
Complete 3D CAD model in Autodesk Inventor format at: GrabCAD
Download Technical drawing
Pelton Bucket Drawing
Dimensione: 84 KB
• Scarica
Design choices and manufacturing considerations
The turbine shaft used in this project was manufactured using CNC machining, but it can also be easily produced using:
- a conventional parallel lathe, or
- if necessary, a simple shaped metal round bar, depending on the available tools and required precision.
This flexibility makes the project adaptable to different school labs, workshops, and maker environments.
Educational objectives
The goal of this project is to:
- Teach parametric 3D modeling with Autodesk Inventor but for any other CAD modeler also
- Develop correct use of sketches, constraints, revolutions, and mirroring
- Connect theoretical concepts of hydraulic turbines with practical design
- Prepare students for real manufacturing processes, including CNC and 3D printing
A student-driven project
This project was designed and developed by students of the final year at
ITIS E. Fermi of Castrovillari (CS), Italy, as part of their technical and professional training.
Working on a real and functional mechanical component allowed students to:
- Improve CAD skills
- Understand design-for-manufacturing principles
- Work collaboratively on an engineering project
- Gain confidence in transitioning from digital models to real parts
Conclusion
Focusing on the Pelton bucket modeling allows students to concentrate on the most challenging and meaningful part of the turbine, while keeping the overall project accessible and reproducible.
This approach reflects real engineering practice, where effort is focused on critical components while simpler parts are optimized for efficient manufacturing.