The following interactive 3D model shows a historical post windmill of Dutch design with its essential constructional elements. By clicking on the colored objects, information about the respective component is displayed.
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Description
The 3D model depicts a traditional windmill of the type used for centuries to grind grain. Shown are the external components (sails, cap, tailpole) and the internal gear mechanics (wind shaft, main shaft, grinding mechanism). The model can be freely rotated, zoomed, and panned.
By clicking on the colored objects, a description of the respective component is displayed. In this way, the flow of power from the wind-driven sails via the wind shaft and main shaft to the rotating runner stone of the grinding mechanism can be traced.
Components of the Windmill
The table shows the components and their functions.
| Component | Description |
| Sails (Blades) | Capture wind energy and convert it into rotational motion. The sail area is adjustable to regulate rotational speed. |
| Wind Shaft | Transmits the rotational motion of the sails into the mill interior. The brake wheel is mounted at its inner end. |
| Cap (Roof) | Rotatable hood housing the wind shaft. Turned into the wind by tailpole or fantail. |
| Tailpole | Long beam at the rear of the mill used to orient the cap or mill body into the wind. |
| Main Shaft | Vertical main drive shaft. Transmits rotation from the brake wheel to the runner stone via a spur gear. |
| Bedstone | Stationary lower millstone. Together with the runner stone above, it forms the grinding mechanism. |
| Runner Stone | Upper rotating millstone driven by the main shaft. Chiseled furrows grind the grain on the bedstone. |
| Mill Body | Load-bearing housing containing the grinding mechanism and gear system. Either a rotatable post or fixed tower with rotatable cap. |
Interactive Controls
The 3D model can be controlled with the following inputs:
- Rotate: Hold down the left mouse button and drag
- Zoom: Turn the mouse wheel or use a two-finger gesture on a touchscreen
- Pan: Hold down the right mouse button and drag
- Select object: Click on a colored object to display its description
Technical Background
Windmills convert the kinetic energy of the wind into a mechanical rotational motion via the sails. This motion is transmitted through the inclined wind shaft and a brake wheel gear to the vertical main shaft. A spur gear at the lower end of the main shaft drives the runner stone. It rotates on the stationary bedstone and grinds the grain into flour.
In order for the sails to capture as much wind energy as possible, they must always be oriented perpendicular to the wind direction. In a post mill, the entire mill body is rotated around a central post for this purpose. In later designs such as the smock mill, the mill body is fixed. Only the cap with the wind shaft is turned by tailpole or fantail.
Notes on the Model
The 3D model is a simplified, schematic representation.
A real windmill includes numerous additional components such as the brake wheel and spur gear of the drive system, centrifugal governors, shaking feeder and flour hopper, braking devices, grain storage, and devices for lifting the heavy millstones for dressing. The depicted form is based on historical post windmills as they were common in Northern and Central Europe.
Authorship of the 3D Model
The 3D model “Moulin Bleu” used in this animation was created by Steen Winther and was originally published on the GrabCAD platform: https://grabcad.com/library/moulin-bleu-1. The use of the model on educational-animation.org is with the express permission of the author. All rights to the 3D model remain with Steen Winther.
Overview
| Title | Dutch Windmill |
| Target Audience | Teachers and Lecturers |
| Features | Full-screen mode Lossless scaling Large screens and projectors supported |
| License | MIT – Rights to the 3D model: Steen Winther |