3d printing gears

[MartinS]

Hi Mekanik

A useful idea. Another is here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbhS...ature=youtu.be

In this one the presenter details the McMaster method but continues to outline a plugin for Fusion 360 that allows the creation of the tooth surfaces within the CAD process.

If anyone decides to check it out, the McMaster parts list DOES have the diametral pitch on the list. It is called "pitch". But, the McMaster listings only has imperial "DP" gears not metric "module" gears (although DP and metric can be mixed if you can get your head around the maths & formulae). Note also that 14.1/2 pressure angle gears went out with the ark..........20 degrees is the norm now.

I posted a reply a couple of hours ago that vanished! (must have pressed the wrong button) in which I poured a little cold water on the idea of using this method as the design for a 3d printed gear. To me, the tooth surfaces look as though they could be parts of an arc rather than an involute curve, or even a series of arcs that follow an involute within an acceptable error boundary. Also the root shape and clearance looks a little iffy! Mind you, compared to the general surface finish of a 3d printed part, the above pales into insignificance!

The above is fine for providing a visualisation of a gear drive in a solid model. It's also fine if conventional gear cutting methods are used (assuming that the tip diameter and centre distance are correct in CAD). If 3d printing is to be used, I would advise the checking of some of the major proportions that McMaster or Fusion comes up with (tip dia, root dia, root fillet radius etc).

I'll help with formulae and guidance if needed.

-Martin

[mekanik]

Hi Martin
Thanks for your post, sheds more light on the subject.
I am more of a lurker on the forum, i don't have a CNC machine or 3d Printer but thought my post might have been usefull to others, I wouldn't contemplate using a printed gear myself, and fortunately i can machine a reasonably accurate gear from solid.