19 replies to this topic

[Mister Piglette]

Okay. So I have been thinking about automation and what not and since I have an Automation and Robotics class I could share what I have learned to spark maybe some new ideas for you fellow friends. For this whole quarter, we have been learning about different mechanisms, and with being with knex, some parts were just review for me. However, a mechanism we had learned in class gave me a new idea for a new gear: a worm gear. It would be a blue sized gear that would have an elongated 'channel', which would be the worm gear, with threads (swirl pattern like a screw of course) matching the distance between each tooth of the normal knex gears, being able to easily mesh correctly. This worm gear would allow easier and more precise movements, creating more torque (help create stronger mechanisms) and lessening speed if needed (because I believe speed reduction is hard?). Worm gears are also non-reversible so that could be used in unique ways also. It could be used in automation (of course people would have to learn places to use it) and stronger pulls with chains without needing 10 motors. Obviously this is a brief idea that some smart people, unlike me, could build upon (no pun intended) so any criticism is wanted and if you feel it could not work, just tell me and I'll accept it. Thanks guys for reading!

[Turtle Man 24]

I think you're talking about something like the thing that's for the 12V plug in motor, correct? Making a worm gear be able to mesh with normal sized gears(such as the red or yellow one), It's probably possible, just not many people at all on this site have the access to a program like AutoCAD or Inventor or something like that, like me. I'm pretty sure I know what you're talking about though.

[Mister Piglette]

Yeah that is what I'm talking about. Although, it would have to be much larger to the point where it would be the size of a gear, yes. I don't have AutoCAD or Inventor ahahaha but maybe I could ask my A&R teacher if I could stay in during lunch times for a week and see if I could draw one up I guess because he has those programs. I'm happy someone thinks that it may work!

[Turtle Man 24]

And it would possibly have to be big enough for one or two of them tan clips would be able to be put on it so it can make the rod turn that's on it(or so the rod can make the gear turn)

Edit: Also, it'd have to be exactly the right size and everything, you'd have to do lots of planning and measuring and stuff. Inventor would probably be the best to use, compared to AutoCAD. Or you could try some other program such as solidworks or something. Just depends which floats your boat.

Edited by Turtle Man 24, 09 March 2014 - 10:52 PM.

[Mister Piglette]

yeah I could easily bring one into school or a whole bunch of them for exact measurements. But would there be length issues? All knex gears, rods, and connectors are all comparable and are related to each other (like the diagonals for example with rods) So would there be 2 or 3 different lengths to that? Just another thing to put into consideration.

[Turtle Man 24]

Yeah, that's another thing that you will have to consider if you attempt it.

[Maxlaam]

What do you mean with, non reversible? I switch poles on my 12V motors all the time.

[Jogumpie]

He meant that the worm gear can power the meshing gear, but not the other way around.

[Maxlaam]

Ok, sorry about that.

[ThisIsGabe]

If someone can give me detailed measurements, I can model you a worm gear! I would do the measurements myself, but I don't have a gear at my college.
If someone is measuring, please get the gear tooth spacings & depth, as well as rod diameter and the size of the tan connector and its tooth

[dgohstand]

Well, I will give it a shot because I have and know CAD and I have my own 3D printer so I can experiment and print a few out! But, I will be trying to make new SS trains first.

[alpal]

I'll have to try this one. I already have knex gears modeled and have made some custom knex gears and mechanisms. I'll get back to y'all.

[Turtle Man 24]

I think there's a tool in Inventor that you can make a worm gear. It's in the assembly thing. Never really used it before though.

[alpal]

Something's printing...

[Turtle Man 24]

I'm going to guess a worm gear.

[Yannick]

That's so cool.
Is it your own printer ?

[alpal]

Tried with a drill, full speed worked great.

[DDRman732865]

Nice. Have you tried it with a heavy load?

[SamIsSoAwsome]

That is so cool!

[Witting]

I would advise to extend the teeth a few millimeter to get a better power transfer across the gears. mind sharing the file because I might a get a metal version because our school is buying a 3D-printer but it won't be that precise of a printer.