Design help needed

[gerrymoore]

I'm trying to make a watch winder for my new automatic watch...I have a little 10 rpm motor with a 10mm long 6mm dia (D shaped) output shaft. I want to make the item in the attached sketch out of PLA. I have an Anycubic 3D printer which I've used for a few things but they have been 'ready made' files from Thingyverse and Cults.

I have tried various programs to design this simple piece (used to do a lot of 2D dxf designs with my plasma cutter) but I'm struggling. Would prefer to be able to draw this and turn into 3D gcode but if anyone can either show me or draw it for me I'd be grateful....thanks Gerry

 

[Bladevane]

Do you mean like this?

 

[Bladevane]

Or better still this. Boss is now same diameter as thickness of base and I've added a few chamfers.

 

[ajlelectronics]

Beat me to it!

 

[Bladevane]

@gerrymoore Send me a PM with your email and I'll post the STL over. Regards.

 

[Bladevane]

@gerrymoore I've zipped it up instead. Hopefully this works for you.

 

[daedalusminos]

@gerrymoore I would suggest taking a look at Fusion 360 - it's probably the most comprehensive free CAD program....but it's not straightforward. I'd suggest looking at some tutorials first to see if it's something you'll be able to grasp. It should be, one of the modelling techniques is to draw a 2D shape and extrude it to make a 3D model.

 

[gerrymoore]

Wow..you guys are quick!! Hiya Bladevane (real name unknown ) the first one is better as the boss needs to be around 15mm to fit on the motor - sorry to be a pain! Could you zip that one up...happy with the chamfers though.

I'm well used to 2D cad as I did 100's of files using Drawplus and just exported them as DXF's and then to sheetcam for the CNC to cut...... 3D is proving more difficult though

I've got Meshmixer, CURA, Simply3D, and Slic3r. I tried coverting to SVG and then to 'pull' it out to 3D but no luck!! I'll take a good look at youtube and see if any use...meanwhile thanks for the hlp so far ... good news this 3D print forum

 

[ajlelectronics]

Meshmixer, CURA, Simply3D, and Slic3r

I use Design Spark Mechanical for my CAD.

 

[tom2207]

Freecad ,,, is exactly that , and mighty.

 

[gerrymoore]

Think I face the same learning curve I tackled with the CNC ...and I'm 10 years older now!!!

 

[Bladevane]

@gerrymoore Here you go. Happy printing. The arm and boss on the previous version were both 15 mm wide, I've made this one 20 mm wide with a 15 mm boss diameter. If you need more tweaks just let me know. Regards.

 

[Cobbler]

I’m missing the point somewhat here, I though you wore an automatic watch & you wrist movement kept it wound. No giggling at the back there, I know what you are thinking

 

[gerrymoore]

Yes you're right Cobbler..... but if you don't wear it and it stops you have to set the day, date, and time ... I won't wear this new one very often as my normal 'smart watch' counts my steps - which I like!! I'll just set the auto winder to come on for an hour or so each day ...and they are expensive to buy so I'm making my own!!

 

[gerrymoore]

Just finished printing ...not quite right but may be my printer. I have a lot of problems with the PLA 'cracking' almost every time I go back to the printer ..it may be because it's in my very cold workshop?? The 'hole' hasn't gone through properly but I'll see if a can use a knife to clear it. I'm sure it will be fine for my purposes so thanks again to everyone for their help....meanwhile I'l start watching You Tube vids!!

 

[tommullin]

you printed it the wrong way round! it shouldve been printed in the orientation you have in the left pic above, you printed it on its side, which is why you have the support material

 

[gerrymoore]

Ah.... silly boy me!! I see what you mean as the 'support' has gone through the hole ...I did say I was a beginner Thanks for the heads up ......I'll re slice it the right way around and try again !!

 

[Ali]

Get that printer out of the workshop Gerry, or at least the material. PLA is quite hygroscopic and will cause no end of issues if you leave it out. Best sealed in a bag with desiccant when not in use.

 

[gerrymoore]

Thanks Ali ...didn't know that!! Anyway I've sliced it the 'right' way and it's turned out fine except the 'hole' is too tight... I suppose I should have drawn it 6.1mm as the shaft is exactly 6mm - doh again!! It's all a learning curve though so I'keep on learning!!

 

[DSR]

Hole being tight is not unusual (ooer missus).. I'd measure it now and reprint with the hole a bit bigger by how much smaller it is and it will still be a bit tight but not as bad.

Also have a look at openscad - I can't get away with the graphical stuff and prefer the text based interface, you'd build the above from two simple primitives (cube and cylinder) or you could use a couple of 2d extrusions. It's a bit maths intensive at times and it can get very intense but you do get a better understanding of the component etc. It's probably not as quick as a GUI 3d system but if the GUI doesn't fit your brain wiring it won't be easy either.