How to print sprockets and gears?
Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2018 9:08 am
Is there an easy, simple and accurate way to print up sprockets to fit a particular track?
I thought I would have a go at making a modified drive sprocket, but I am having real issues getting teeth that properly fit the track. I have been doing it by eye and by scanning in a photo taken of the stock part....but getting the scale to transfer into the 3D modelling software is not working well enough to get smooth running.
I also wondered about 3d printing accurate gears. I was contemplating a build project....but the motors cannot drive the drive sprocket directly....as they won;t fit. It's easy enough to make an ally cage with some top-hat bearings...but I would need to have a drive sprocket with a gear central to it's shaft driven by another gear. An opportunity also to gear down the drive to lose speed.
So that means also making 2 gears with compatable teeth, with accurate distances between centres....incorporating a drive sprocket that will fit the plastic HL tracks I have.
Can anyone give me any pointers/tricks of the trasde?
I thought I would have a go at making a modified drive sprocket, but I am having real issues getting teeth that properly fit the track. I have been doing it by eye and by scanning in a photo taken of the stock part....but getting the scale to transfer into the 3D modelling software is not working well enough to get smooth running.
I also wondered about 3d printing accurate gears. I was contemplating a build project....but the motors cannot drive the drive sprocket directly....as they won;t fit. It's easy enough to make an ally cage with some top-hat bearings...but I would need to have a drive sprocket with a gear central to it's shaft driven by another gear. An opportunity also to gear down the drive to lose speed.
So that means also making 2 gears with compatable teeth, with accurate distances between centres....incorporating a drive sprocket that will fit the plastic HL tracks I have.
Can anyone give me any pointers/tricks of the trasde?