FFDF_Fully Functional Dubrovnik Fountain

// STILL DOES NOT WORK - water is still not flowing through the tubes (relying only on atmosferic pressure / if you blow in the sink with the straw (considering that you coated the model with nail polish or something simmilar) you will get the water flowing). When it will be done, I will remove this column and replace it with appropriate one.

// HISTORY

This is a model of one of many Dubrovnik's fountains. This one is placed just outside the Dubrovnik walls, in front of city doors Pile and it is called Jewish fountain (also known as Košer fountain). It was build in 1420. and it was originally situated alongside the famous Little Onofri's fountain. In 19. century the fountain was relocated to today's site. Geolocation: 42.641828, 18.105818. It can be seen in Street View.

// MAKING

On a trip to Dubrovnik, just outside of old town of Dubrovnik I saw this fountain and quickly photographed it with my phone from all angles. When I got home I uploaded it in free 123D Catch software. After some stitching i got my model which was about 50% OK. I cleaned the model, trimmed the rest and tapered the scan. Then it was time to model the rest of it (it took a while). The parts that are modeled and the parts that are scanned are shown separately on picture in gallery as well as scanned, cleaned and finished model.

// BONUS (the principle of Heron's fountain)

I didn't want to just make a model printable and use it for decoration - so i decided to make it functional. Using the principles of physics (water and air pressure) I designed a fountain that runs like a Heron's fountain - without any artificial pumps (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heron%27s_fountain). Simple - the water pushes the air from the lower cabin to the upper one (full of water). Water from the upper cabin looks for the fastest and easiest way out which is the tube that runs from the lions mouth. That water fills the lower cabin. When the process stops, you can easily flip the fountain - let the water flow from the lower to the upper cabin, flip it again and start the process by adding the water to the lower cabin via the sink.

I have made many prototypes - the latest is shown in the gallery along with the problems I spotted shown on the picture. This prototype worked but only if i blew through the straw into the sink. I am hoping I solved all the problems and that the fountain will work. (currently I am printing the latest model). If however not - you still have a beautiful sculpture. :)

// TWO FILES

The first file (FFDF_Jewish fountain_Dubrovnik_scale10) is a scaled model of a real thing in scale 1:10. It can be used for decorations but it is not functional (water does not flow) - it is just a "picture" (3D model) of the real fountain.

The second file (FFDF_Jewish fountain_Dubrovnik_functional) is a 3D model of the fountain but with the water flowing. I didn't test it yet (except for my prototypes) because I didn't have time, but theoretically, it should work. If someone makes it before me, please let me know if it works!

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At the end of the gallery there is a picture of a test print (lions head) - part of a model printed with semi-transparent PLA so you can't see it clearly but it printed out great for that size (54x48 mm)

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Both models can be printed without support.

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Also, considering that the city of Dubrovnik is currently a set for King's Landing - Lannisters! ;)