Over the past 4 years 148 used 3D printing for a number of applications. Normally printed parts are used to prototype and refine the concept, as well as test packaging, before parts are machined for strength and durability reasons.
A few of the parts prototyped using 3D printing over the past 4 years includes:
- camera mounts
- targeting light mount
- various encoder mounts
- encoder gears
- electronic system mounts
- choo-choo cam
- noodle-fan mount
The most impressive (to me) application of a 3D printed part on a 148 robot was the custom traction wheels used on our 2013 robot, Viper. These wheels incorporated a 2.5" OD traction wheel with the required pulley for the smallest iteration of the Butterfly Drive used to date.