Stirling Engine Design & Fabrication

During the Fall 2025 semester, I designed and manufactured a Stirling engine inspired by a carnival theme, with the rotating assembly modeled after a Ferris wheel. I created a full 3D assembly of the engine in SolidWorks, integrating both mechanical function and aesthetic design. I machined all major components, excluding a fasteners and bearings, in UPenn’s precision manufacturing lab using the lathe, mill, and CNC programs in Mastercam and Prototrak. The two-piece bedplate silhouette was laser-cut by OshCut, and I laser-cut colorful acrylic inserts for the Ferris wheel and carriages to enhance the visual design. When heated with a blowtorch applied to the air chamber, the engine operates smoothly, with the flywheel reaching speeds above 1200 RPM on test day.