Hi John
How about Metal plating the RP gear? We plate onto most of the different RP models including Envisiontec parts and the strenght is increased 10 fold.
If you want to give it a try then drop me an email
Kind regards
Andy Allshorn
Technical Director
AT 3D-SQUARED LTD
________________________________
From: "Mullen, John" <johnmullen@hasbro.com>
To: "rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi" <rp-ml@rapid.lpt.fi>
Sent: Fri, 8 January, 2010 19:59:26
Subject: [rp-ml] RP Holy Grail of Custome Gears
Thank you everyone who responded to my interest for a better
RP gear. Lots of new names and the old timers are still around as well.
This is all good.
I’ll try to give answer back to everyone in one
message.
A) There’s
nothing wrong with machining gears, this is best, but our resources are limited
and I can use some very skilled Model Making for better uses than cutting gears
all day.
B) I’m no
engineer or machinist so I don’t have the proper lingo in “gear
talk” but lets describe them as being small in diameter ( 0.75” and
less with many teeth ), these also include small cams and levers. Our
quantities are small; usually need 1-3 of each gear, cam, and lever.
C) Due to the
detail and small size FDM technology hasn’t worked for us in the past.
It has greatly improved over the past few years.
D) Objet does
okay but the sidewalls are rough, small features are weak. This leads to
problems. I’ve had decent luck using Objet with Durus material for
larger gears.
E) Noise is
always a problem with RP gears. This is one reason we machine
parts. It’s tough to demo to a buyer when they can’t get
beyond the noise. RP gear teeth like to bind and break off.
F) SLS hasn’t
worked due to detail and surface finish. Are there secondary finishing
techniques.
G) I get very
close with SLA Viper and Envisiontec Perfactory. These are the most
promising technologies if materials can continue to catch up. Great
detail, accurate, smooth finish.
H) First Cut
Prototype……I forgot about them. This is a good
possibility. I’ll readdress this.
I) Direct metal…..I don’t
know, surface finish issues again and detail? I need to gain more
experience with direct metals. I’ve been in the world of plastic
too long.
Everyone thanks, much food for thought.
John Mullen
Rapid Prototype
Manager
Hasbro, Inc.
1027 Newport Avenue
401.727.5194
Pawtucket, RI 02862
johnmullen@hasbro.com
Received on Sat Jan 09 03:10:46 2010
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