After a little over a year of having a 3D printer, I just wanted to share something I think sums up everything I’ve learned so far… Thanks to everyone on this sub for freely sharing knowledge and helping me get as far as I have!PicturesA “MRI” of the designI don’t have a good video of it firing anything, but it can launch a skittle about 10 feet…I know I could have made it a lot simpler, but that wasn’t the point. I wanted it to be over complicated. I also wanted it to be 100% 3D printed.A short run down of some of the components:30:1 reducer. I wanted to crank down the spring and also have the reducer only go one way.Made a spiral spring with a pretty decent amount of torque. Not sure exactly how strong it is, but it’s starting to deform the PLA. Might print the shaft and reduction gear in nylon where they connect.Quick release. This was probably the hardest part. It releases the spring from the reducer. It’s actually a little too quick. Releases if you’re not holding it down. Version 2 will be a lot smaller/efficient and not misfire. Gonna incorporate it into the next project (macro focusing rails).It was fun learning some basic mechanical / gear design and I really got to know my printer. I’d guess final print time would be around 10 hours? Probably have 20+ with revisions and failed prints…If anyone is interested, I created a bunch of spread sheets on how to create / calc the gears (Spur, planetary and Hypocycloid).Not sure when I’ll get to version 2, but I’ve got some ideas. http://ift.tt/2f6fq2t
