Can We 3D print gears?

Although it might at first seem unintuitive, 3D printing gears is not only possible but very much worthwhile. While 3D printed gears are inherently weaker than their metallic and plastic-injected counterparts (unless you’re using a 3D printing service), they’re nonetheless suitable for a wide array of applications.

How do you make 3D printed gears stronger?

To achieve more robust teeth, basically, double the width means double strength. In terms of thickness, it is recommended to design it at least 3 to 5 times the circular pitch of the gear. Keeping those values in mind should help you to produce strong 3D printed gear.

Can PETG be used for gears?

PETG. PETG is generally a bit cheaper than ABS, and a bit more expensive than PLA. While it is a ductile material it is also softer, more flexible, and less scratch-resistant than either ABS or PLA, which makes it a worse choice for gears.

Can Pla be used for gears?

It’s low friction coefficient, high inter-layer adhesion, and high melting temperature make it an excellent choice for 3D printed gears. PLA has high rigidity and superior wear properties over ABS which make it a better choice when application temperatures allow.

How do you lubricate PLA gears?

I use cosmetic vaseline – petroleum jelly. Usually it is white to transparent and odorless. It’s cheap and available in all drugstores and cosmetics stores.

How long do 3D printed gears last?

3D Printed Gear Serves Seven Months Hard Labor | Hackaday.

What is the best material for 3D printing gears?

Nylon filament is an incredibly strong, durable, and versatile 3D printing material. It’s low friction coefficient, high inter-layer adhesion, and high melting temperature make it an excellent choice for 3D printed gears. The drawbacks of nylon are its propensity to absorb water and the difficulty of printing with it.

Can you print gears with plastic parts?

Of course printing gears using the commonly available plastics is a sacrifice in surface finish and durability compared to injection molded or machined plastic parts. But when designed correctly, printed gears can provide efficient and reasonably high load transfer and are an ideal solution for some applications.

Can plastic gears be used in super high-performance construction?

And while you may not see plastic gears being used in super high-performance constructions—indeed, those are the scenarios where metal 3D printing can be already probably be turned to, if an alternative to traditional manufacturing is being sought.

What are the challenges of FDM 3D printing gears?

Standard FDM 3D printing challenges: Thin walled parts are weak, overhanging parts need breakaway scaffolding, part strength is significantly weaker in the Z-axis. All the same, my recommended print settings for gears are no different than for anything else 3d printed.