[FTC]: 3D printing part for robot

[MattRain]

Originally Posted by ArtemusMaximus

It's all comes down to time and money. I can print a lot of sprockets for the same dollars as purchased sprocket with hub and shipping. Also, it's a lot faster to print sprocket than wait for shipping, avoiding out of stock, shipping , customs and any other delays connected to shipping.

As a veteran, I would just like to add my input. Many 3D printed robots that I have seen in the past, have issues making it when it comes to higher competition. The amount of defensive playing that happens at Super Regional and Worlds is on another level than States (Depending on your state). I bring this up, for my next point.

Any 3D printing you do for sprockets and gears, will fail much quicker than their metal counter-parts. The only luck that my team has had when it comes to 3D sprockets and such, is when it's used in light-use areas. Using a 3D printed part within the drive-train is bound to fail quickly, even if its printed in solid plastic. I can go back and find pictures if you would like of our sprockets that were turned into ninja-looking stars, from just practice on our field at school, with no defense.

The wheels you listed, that you are trying to print, like to fail quickly when hit. If you are truly going to print them, make sure that another robot can't get to them.

All in all, we still use alot of 3d printed parts, but in areas that dont have a lot of stress related with them.