


Slicing software can also have an effect as different programs may choose different spots for the hole to actually start. ( Export gear STLs with higher segment counts to avoid this.) Some to thermal contraction of cooling plastic and some is because the holes are modeled as polygons that have lots of segments cutting short around the perimeter of the hole. Expect to have to bore holes to the right size & clean up teeth with a blade.Ĭenter hole shrinkage is a very common issue that occurs even on expensive printers. Printed gears usually require a little post processing prior to use. This Nema 17 Stepper Motor Planetary Gear Reducer.The ubiquitous 3D printer extruder gear drive.The majority of functional applications take the form of a speed reducer, usually for a small electric motor or hand crank. But when designed correctly, printed gears can provide efficient and reasonably high load transfer and are an ideal solution for some applications. 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. Best of all, 3D Printers are common enough that a set of STL files can be shared with tons of people eager to use them online. The prototyping & creation process is quick & clean. Printed plastic gears are a cheap, quick, and customizable motion transfer solution compared to alternative ways to make gears. So why choose to 3D print gears over alternative manufacturing methods, and what strengths does 3D printing offer? Geared Light Switch Cover Free Printable STL Files Here.įDM Printing Specific Benefits & Examples of Gear Use:
