3D Printing A Wheel

[T^2]

Originally Posted by DampRobot

I'm interested that you decided to 3d print wheels at all. Is this just a test, to see what kind of quality you get? If you're seriously considering using 3d printed wheels next year, could you talk a bit about the thought that went into the decision?

Yes, it's a test. We think it's quite possible (based off the advice of one of our mentors, who has built many 3D printers) that an extruded PLA wheel will be strong enough to endure the rigors of FRC. Our hope is to be able to cut down on manpower and machining time. We use 2-inch wide wheels with 971's tread attachment style, which take our sponsors several weeks to machine out of aluminum. In the build season, this is unacceptable, so we're trying to print them instead (using a modified design, obviously). A 1/4 scale model held my weight without cracking. If you want, I can post renders of both designs.

[MichaelBick]

Originally Posted by T^2

Yes, it's a test. We think it's quite possible (based off the advice of one of our mentors, who has built many 3D printers) that an extruded PLA wheel will be strong enough to endure the rigors of FRC. Our hope is to be able to cut down on manpower and machining time. We use 2-inch wide wheels with 971's tread attachment style, which take our sponsors several weeks to machine out of aluminum. In the build season, this is unacceptable, so we're trying to print them instead (using a modified design, obviously). A 1/4 scale model held my weight without cracking. If you want, I can post renders of both designs.

What is your problem with Vex traction wheels, other than the attatchment method?

[IVAN]

are you printing the wheel solid ?

[T^2]

Originally Posted by Calvin Hartley

When will this model (likely) be done? Will you be making more to test an actual drive train, or just the one wheel? Either way, I am interested in seeing results.

Tomorrow evening, and we'll test this one before deciding if we want to make more.

Originally Posted by MichaelBick

What is your problem with Vex traction wheels, other than the attatchment method?

The attachment method.

Originally Posted by IVAN

are you printing the wheel solid ?

Yes.

[IVAN]

o.o why not polyurethane casting and using hollowed version out of wheel to use as a negative because printing four or six of those wheels (at least) is going to be expensive

my math has it at 5 cents per gram if your using makerbot pla and 1.5 cents using an amazon competitor

[T^2]

Originally Posted by IVAN

o.o why not polyurethane casting and using hollowed version out of wheel to use as a negative because printing four or six of those wheels (at least) is going to be expensive

my math has it at 5 cents per gram if your using makerbot pla and 1.5 cents using an amazon competitor

That comes out to be about $40-$50 dollars for two robots' worth of wheels. Not that bad, I think.

[Bald & Bearded]

Interesting. I am curious to know how long it takes to print this wheel. Did you use one of the OpenSCAD parametric wheel programs available or is this your design? Any chance of sharing the STL?

[T^2]

Originally Posted by Bald & Bearded

Interesting. I am curious to know how long it takes to print this wheel. Did you use one of the OpenSCAD parametric wheel programs available or is this your design? Any chance of sharing the STL?

Here are some renders.

[DampRobot]

Originally Posted by T^2

Here are some renders.

Very good job with those ribs! Looks like a very efficient and strong use of material.

[themccannman]

I know what I'm doing all night.

[Nirvash]

Looking at it right now, looks like something messed up during the print

[Jon Stratis]

There was a team at North Star last year that used 3D printed wheels... I think it was 2175. They had a sponsor print them with material stronger than what you typically get for home printers, if I remember right. You should get in touch with them and see how their experience went over the season!

[T^2]

Originally Posted by Nirvash

Looking at it right now, looks like something messed up during the print

I don't know what caused this, but I do know what problems this caused. The piece of the wheel that got knocked off also dislocated the tube that routes air from a fan to the nozzle. Without this air flow, the nozzle overheated. This afternoon, I found the ceramic insulation surrounding the nozzle burnt off, and the kapton tape that held on the insulation melted to the nozzle. I'll be having some fun over break...