pic: Ultralight Spoked Wheel

[evanperryg]

Originally Posted by magnets

As for machining, you could either 3d print aluminum with laser sintering (extremely expensive) or you could manufacture each of the spoke plates and weld it into place.

I agree, it's not practical (a VersaWheel weighs less), but it is a cool looking part.

On the topic of cool wheels, 118's 2012 wheel was very cool looking too.

The goal really wasn't for this thing to be "logical" or "practical," It was an idea that popped into my mind, largely inspired by spoked car wheels. They might never see competition, but they certainly would be a cool demonstration of what a multi-axis mill (or whatever else you could use to make these) is capable of.

[kevincrispie]

As far as I know, these wheels aren't make from a multi-axis mill. From the Truespoke website, where the picture you linked is from, it seems as if these particular wheels are put together by hand. The spokes, rim, and hub would all be separate parts. Regardless, these wheels are excellent craftsmanship and it can certainly be a good CAD project to create a design inspired off of these.

I am curious about the cost evaluation on the part. When you say that the 8 spoke design is significantly cheaper, did you get somebody to do an evaluation, or is this your own estimate?

[ToddF]

Hmmm. Looks a lot like this one. Impractical for conventional machining techniques. Great for 3D printing. Mine has the spokes arranged more in the classic spoked wheel pattern, which relies on spokes in tension for torsional rigidity. The design in the OP relies strictly on the bending stiffness of the spokes for torsional strength.



Note that this one has the same internal structure, but adds fairings that protect the spokes.



So, all you folks with 3D printers, print some up, test them out, and let us know the results.