Here we will discuss the mechanical design of Galin Pump.

Initially, I was set on 3D printing the pump - see here for a description of some of my attempts. However, what I learnt eventually was that I was running into problems of 3D printing idiosyncrasies, for example, the constant need for adjustment of tolerances between the vane and chamber components, as well as the rough surface finish on the components which would allow water to seep through. Now, in principle, I do not know any theoretical impediment to 3D printing a version of Galin Pump - it will be done, and it will work sufficiently well. But when developing the first version of something, I do not want the “quality of the prototype to ruin the idea”. It is totally possible, that the 3D printing version will have a plethora of nit-picky sensitivities that cause it to be difficult to run, but that have nothing to do with the idea itself. And, when one is demonstrating a prototype, it is a hard ask, and few people would have the tolerance, to appreciate the difference between problems due to the implementation (3D printing problems) versus problems/differences due to the prototype itself.

Below are images from the CAD design of the Galin Pump: