Julian and members.
Another method for me to try and produce a tyre by 3D printing for the band saw.
My Mastercam program version 8 2002 (old 32 bit ) has the ability to draft a spiral, like a clock spring.
All that is needed is to set a few parameters, pitch, number of turns, depth ,origin point etc,
Then once on the screen, add an offset for the tyre thickness.
From the analyse menu, it will tell me the total length of the spiral generated and adjust preferably a bit longer in the drafting if necessary,?
I can produce a butt joint on the ends and then assemble to the wheel with 2 part epoxy.
I have attached a couple of photos of me producing a 6 mm pitch spiral for a 100 mm lathe chuck gear which drives the jaw pinions.
The Mastercam after drafting produced a toolpath G Code and with the use of a circular table and stepper indexer it did the job. Basically my 4th axis on the converted bench mill CNC.
See photos of the hard jaw mating with the scroll., then a bit of final lathe work and it all worked out well.
As a prior idiot check, thus saving time and money I? used the same MC8 drafting file? converted it to a STL file and 3D printed in PLA.
Now my wife uses this prototype as a flower pot stand, duh but necessity is the mother of invention. LOL
I think I will be able to 3D print enough length of tyre for both wheels at the same time, Just basically calculate the final length
required x 2 plus a bit extra for lap joints.
I?hope photos are self explanatory.
Cheers
?
--
John
John Lindo