Quote:
Originally Posted by ratdude747
Idea: if one has engine lathe access, use the lathe to bevel the gears. That should result in pretty, even gears.
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Sub "sprockets" for "gears" and I agree.
A lathe would make the bevel edge trivial however, the teams I help typically don't have access the a lathe big enough to spin the sprockets I like to use. The Epilog Laser cutters I have access to can cut a 12X24 envelope so I tend to make giant sprockets (just under 12" diameter).
Take a look at
the sprockets on Scorpion (#246's 2015 robot*) and our "Standard Three Joint Arm." There is some serious ABS Sprocketage going on there ;-)
Never underestimate the power of simple tools mixed with resourcefulness and patience to make up for lack of fancy pants equipment.
Dr. Joe J.
*By the way, if your team doesn't name your robots (both practice robots and competition robots as well as off season experimentation chassis), I feel sorry for you. Honestly, don't you get tired of saying "our robot from Aerial Assist" and "that mecanum wheel chassis we experimented as part of Cool Kid's senior project"? Of course you do... AND... You're missing out. You could be calling your robots Scorpion & Rover & Hungry Hippo. Increases your cool factor by 50% right there. ;-)