Turn the wheel
The handwheel rotates the inclined screw. Its lower flights dip into the intake pool to collect water.
MACHINES & MOTION
Archimedes Screw
A simple turn. Water moves uphill.
Make an ancient engineering idea a hands-on discovery.
Explore every angle
3D MODEL
Load the 3D model to rotate and zoom. Approx. 1 MB.
Design concept shown in a fixed pose. The 3D view explores the form; water flow and the mechanism are illustrative.
FOLLOW THE WATER
One turn starts a whole journey.
Lift through the spiral
The raised edges of the rotating flights carry pockets of water toward the higher end of the screw.
Watch it return
Water arrives in the upper dish, spills into the flume and returns to the pool under gravity, ready for another turn.
A CLOSER LOOK
Perspective render
The open spiral, submerged intake and return channel are visible together in this concept view.
LEARNING THROUGH PLAY
Big questions.
Hands-on answers.
Visitors connect the movement of their hands with the movement of water. They can make a prediction, try it and observe the result within the same interaction.
Simple machines
Explore how a rotating spiral can move water between two levels.
Energy transfer
Feel the effort of turning a wheel and see that work lift water against gravity.
Observation & experimentation
Try a slower or faster turn. Where does water enter? Where does it leave? What happens when you stop?
PART OF A BIGGER WATER TABLE
Plan the journey around it.
The screw can introduce a change in water level within a larger exhibit. Its receiving dish and return channel offer a clear route to follow and a starting point for conversations about lifting and flowing water.
During design, we review handwheel reach, the depth of the intake well, access around moving parts, splash control and the connection to the table’s water circuit. Dimensions and pumping performance are confirmed through engineering and prototyping.
See the complete water table exhibit →KEEP EXPLORING
More ways to put water in motion
Make this discovery part of your exhibit.
Let’s explore how the Archimedes Screw could fit your water table.
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