Thanks for the input. I'm going to give it a go and see how well the EDF can move the drum, ideally I'd like to funnel the air directly onto the veins but I've read EDFs really suffer when restricted. If it comes to it theres enough weight and space to swap the EDF for a conventional belt driven setup.

I've got a slight dilemma at the moment. I bought a length of 25mm x 50mm 7075 a while back that I was planning on making this from, but completely messed up the original design and its too large for the material. I've changed the design to work with what I've got, but it doesn't look as strong and its a little heavier. I can't find any 50mm x 50mm 7075 online, but I can buy 6082 T6 that will work.

Do I machine a worse design from a stronger grade ali, or will the 6082 be good enough? Also I've no experience machine high grade aluminium. I'll be using a small CNC at the school I teach at, would it be worth setting the machine as if it's machining steel or keep it as ali?

Pic 1 + 2 are the original larger sides that could be machined from 6082 T6
Pic 3 + 4 are the ones that I can machine from the 7075

Thanks

50mm Bulkheads 2.PNG50mm Bulkheads 3.PNG25mm Bulkheads 2.PNG25mm Bulkheads 3.PNG