Gears
From
Introduction
We need Gear Families that all work with each other. This includes popular construction toys. But we're also scaling stuff up to work with Big Iron, like 40mm and 100mm Frames. And rack and pinion.
Challenges
Compatibility with existing gear and sprocket families:
- Meccano/Erector/Vex
- LEGO Technic
- Bicycle
Approaches
Laser Cutter
- Fabrication on laser cutters is common, works well.
3D Printing
CNC mill/router
- Sherline examples
- Taig Mill examples
- Bridgeport examples
Hybrid
Hybrid fabrication; RepRapping and then precise tidying of each layer with a milling/routing head is the most promising.
- Direct: We can make the plastic gear directly
- Mold: We can make the molds for filled epoxy gears. See HandmadeGears.
Hobbing
- Timothy Edward's build of a Meccano Gear Making Machine, technically a gear hobber:
via http://edwards.web.users.btopenworld.com/meccano/modelgear.htm
Wire EDM
- Forrest Higgs proposed this once.
Casting/Mouldmaking
- We can make molds for Filled epoxy
CNC plasma cutting
2D cuts can be stacked, with through holes for bolts to provide alignment and compression, allowing for the construction of sturdy power transmission components for keyed shafts.
References
