pic: 4 inch 3D printed wheel

[steelerborn]

loading photo ...

[avanboekel]

Looks great. Let us know how it holds up. My team needs a custom wheel for our summer drive train project and we didn't know if a printed wheel would be strong enough. What kind of printer and plastic did you use?

[CalTran]

If you talk to anybody on 207, Metalcrafters, then they practically make their entire robot out of 3D prints.

http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=106850
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=106849

[steelerborn]

The wheel is ABS plastic.
It is really light at .105 pounds (according to Creo 2 and Solidworks 2012 Premium), this wheel was mainly to show off the 3D printing ability that we have now.

It is much stronger than I anticipated it would be, but I doubt we will use it on a bot. The thing is I added a couple of things to this wheel that is not possible on a lathe and mill, to show the kids how cool 3D printing is.

This wheel is about 1/4 of the weight of its AM equivalent. I have another style that is a bit beefier and is about 1/2 the weight of the AM equivalent. But I don't see a problem throwing some tread on this thing and giving it to the kids to try out. If it holds up then I will be very impressed.

[tim-tim]

Originally Posted by steelerborn

The wheel is ABS plastic.
It is much stronger than I anticipated it would be, but I doubt we will use it on a bot...

This wheel is about 1/4 of the weight of its AM equivalent. I have another style that is a bit beefier and is about 1/2 the weight of the AM equivalent. But I don't see a problem throwing some tread on this thing and giving it to the kids to try out. If it holds up then I will be very impressed.

Just remember, choosing the proper application makes all the difference.

I could see something like this being used to save weight that an aluminum wheel would be overkill for. Think outside the box a little.

[steelerborn]

The application for this wheel was to show how 3D printing can make parts that mills and lathes can't.

[Alan Anderson]

Originally Posted by steelerborn

...I added a couple of things to this wheel that is not possible on a lathe and mill...

For example?

[Tristan Lall]

Originally Posted by Alan Anderson

For example?

I'm guessing internal voids in a single-piece part.

[steelerborn]

There are a few internal holes (can't be seen from the image) that can't be cut with a lathe or a mill.

[CalTran]

Originally Posted by steelerborn

There are a few internal holes (can't be seen from the image) that can't be cut with a lathe or a mill.

I guess those internal holes serve for weight or material reduction?

[steelerborn]

Neither they are to show how 3D printing can create geometry that lathes and mills can't. This is just a demo.

[CalTran]

Oh. That works out too. Any chance you could post a cut away view? (Read: slicing the wheel open and posting a picture)

[steelerborn]