Large DRSSTC Topload, 3D Printed Parts

[Fabrício H. Franzoli]

Hi there, folks!

I came to share details of large DRSSTC's topload, which I worked on these days. The construction is relatively simple, it consists of aluminum tubes and 3D printed parts.

Specifications:

Minor diameter: 27.5cm (~11");
Major diameter: 1.11m (~44");
Rings: 13 pieces, flexible aluminium tubing, 1/2", 15º spacing;
Frame: 3D printed parts + 8 aluminium tubes (rigid, 3/4", 1/16" wall);
Misc: 4mm bolts, silver plated copper foils, etc;
Total capacitance: Something nearly 55pF;
Breakdown voltage: Still unkown, I must mess with FEMM electrostatic sims soon.

I hope you all enjoy these tips!





























Breakout point socket

[klugesmith]

That's beautiful work, and a very pretty garden behind it.  May I ask what software tool you used to design the 3D printed parts?

How did you bend the narrow AL tubing into such nice circles?  Was it straight or coiled when you got it?
To me, the word "thick" in a tube description suggests the wall thickness, not outside diameter (OD).  Of course there is no possibility of confusion in the context of your story and pictures. :-)

Good to see the metal strips connecting AL rings to the center, in more than one place.  I will guess they are enough to make your topload behave as if one piece of metal, for all frequencies lower than 10 or 100 MHz.

[Fabrício H. Franzoli]

That's beautiful work, and a very pretty garden behind it.  May I ask what software tool you used to design the 3D printed parts?

How did you bend the narrow AL tubing into such nice circles?  Was it straight or coiled when you got it?
To me, the word "thick" in a tube description suggests the wall thickness, not outside diameter (OD).  Of course there is no possibility of confusion in the context of your story and pictures. :-)

Good to see the metal strips connecting AL rings to the center, in more than one place.  I will guess they are enough to make your topload behave as if one piece of metal, for all frequencies lower than 10 or 100 MHz.

Thank you! I designed these pieces in SketchUp, a very simple way to do that.
I bent the flexible tubing by hand, got 3 coils, 15.00m long each.
I just fixed that, good point!
Yep, the idea is to connect at least two points using the silver plated copper strip.

Best Regards

[Mads Barnkob]

Hi Fabrício and welcome to HVF

Following your work posted on facebook, you have come far with producing high quality components and "standard" products, I have been wondering if you are producing to sell kits? Nevertheless, I hope you will continue to have time to make all these things and show them.

The weaving flat copper strip is a nice and subtle way of connecting the tubes.

Normally 12~13 mm diameter tube is too think for a skeleton topload, but you have added a good amount of rings to ensure enough even field control.

[oneKone]

Welcome to the HVF Fabrício. Hopefully you post more, I love the work you do.

One element I especially like is the 3d printed insulator.. looks awesome

[Fabrício H. Franzoli]

Hi Fabrício and welcome to HVF

Following your work posted on facebook, you have come far with producing high quality components and "standard" products, I have been wondering if you are producing to sell kits? Nevertheless, I hope you will continue to have time to make all these things and show them.

The weaving flat copper strip is a nice and subtle way of connecting the tubes.

Normally 12~13 mm diameter tube is too think for a skeleton topload, but you have added a good amount of rings to ensure enough even field control.

Thank you, Mads
I'm flattered by this, especially coming from someone who has been giving a new perspective on tesla coil designs with straightforward and simplified explanations.
Sure, I'm thinking about it! even sharing board files, etc.

Best Regards

[Fabrício H. Franzoli]

Welcome to the HVF Fabrício. Hopefully you post more, I love the work you do.

One element I especially like is the 3d printed insulator.. looks awesome

Thank you!
I also hope to see more of your nice work here too.

Best regards