- Thread starter Jlg
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Arclikeharrypotter
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I can't help you with printing. But a drawing of the part you're after at very least would help.
Jlg
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I'm getting a file of someone later
Jlg
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It's basically the parts to make this https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/attachments/e300afa1-e18a-4230-9f79-24cdbcb75416-png.167434/
Would help if you gave people an idea how 'how quality' you need in terms of tolerance and texture finish. Also how strong, I mean at the very top end you can get stuff printed in aluminium, stainless, titanium and inconel (not that anyone on here would have the equipment for that but they might work somewhere that does).
Wendelspanswick
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You will need to address shrinkage in the primary part printing and also the casting further down the line. So say the part was printed in a plastic that shrinks after printing 0.5% this is not the end size you need because once cast the shrinkage in metal may be 2%. This needs to be addressed by scaling in the initial printing stage.
Jlg
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I'm not too consernd with shrinking as the print file is going too be oversized to be machined down
Ah thats a different kettle of fish. The casting should be ok as you will be able to adjust the spindle centers when you bore them to size.
There is strong materials for 3D printing but my "guess" is hobbiests printers/material will not take the forces on those gears.
Another option is to weld/fabricate and the grind and machine.
With the latest spec DMLS printing the tolerance and finish would be fine to go straight on the machine. Get it done in tool steel powder and it will probably be stronger than any of the existing gears.
Cost though................. Well last time I got a quote for 6 small steel inserts for a mould tool it was about £500 - that was tool steel and the finest tolerance like 0.02 mm! Using bigger tolerance build layers makes it a lot cheaper though.
Cost though................. Well last time I got a quote for 6 small steel inserts for a mould tool it was about £500 - that was tool steel and the finest tolerance like 0.02 mm! Using bigger tolerance build layers makes it a lot cheaper though.
