Quote:
Originally Posted by RMS11
I first cut out 5 spokes that went fully from the center to the outside with all inside material cut out. I made them 1/4 inch because I felt that to be plenty to support the wheel. I filletted the edges of the spokes for extra support and thev used cosmosxpress in solidworks to run stress analysis, placing an 120 lb force on an individual wheel supported by the axle. Then after seeing it would not break I cut more weight by adding holes in an artsy way and did more stress analysis. Really I find the best way to make light weight objects is to cut a little weight and then stress test and repete until you are either happy with the weight or unhappy with how strong it is getting.  |
The spoke design is currently inefficient. The force exerted on the spoke via the torque applied at the hub decreases as you get farther away from the hub. So, the spokes should be thicker towards the center and thinner as you get closer to the rim. The holes in the spokes also greatly decrease the strength, If the spokes are strong enough as is with the holes, then I would redo do it with smaller spokes without holes (which if done right would weigh less than the current spoke).
But, overall, a solid start on a wheel design.