Efferman's Custom Parts

[z3_2drive]

Ok, back on topic, have you tested the female ball gear adapters yourself, effe? So far they've handled pretty well but I've yet to really punish them out on the road, I will let you know soon. They already feel stronger than the Lego as well as the printed u joints.

[efferman]

i have tested the newest revision which fits a little tight on the 8880 transmission ball. it seems that it will work fine after some driving around, but till then this will cause in high friction. Does your parts fit tight too?

[AndyCW]

The old part was loose. I was worried that they would deform under load and cause the joint to fail. I had an 'old ball cup' fail, but don't know why.

The new part is tighter and more rigid than the old ones. The friction is noticeable, but after some use they should wear in. A drop of lubricant should help. Hopefully the rigidity helps with the strength. Initial testing confirms this hypothesis, but final results will have to wait until more in depth testing can be undertaken.

Here is the folder of pictures of my test chassis. It has changed quite a bit, but the overall idea can be seen. The 24t clutch gear had been replaced.

Words of wisdom, the female part is much stronger than the male part. The printed axle stub is weak and can twist off with little stress. The Lego axles are much stronger in torsion than the printed axles.

v/r

Andy

[efferman]

Words of wisdom, the female part is much stronger than the male part. The printed axle stub is weak and can twist off with little stress. The Lego axles are much stronger in torsion than the printed axles.

Thanks for this information.

[z3_2drive]

I have pretty much the same answer since Andy gave me those pictures a few weeks ago, and I ended up building my own vehicle with the same rear setup, here is a link: http://www.brickshel...ry.cgi?f=559001 I have done a lot of testing in the past few days, and the Ball gear holder handles really well, with full throttle direction changes and high load from 2 buggy motors (havent tested 4 though) not being a problem. They are much stronger than the small Lego CV joints but I wonder if they will stay like this over time, thanks for designing them, they work really well and helped us make two great vehicles! I only have the female adapters. Really wish Lego would bring back a similar idea to use the ball gears in cars again.

Edited September 17, 2015 by z3_2drive

[efferman]

cool car, do you have a video where it is in action

[Nevercallmebyneme]

Can you do parts for Minifig Battledroids?

[efferman]

have you searched on shapeways for parts which would fit what you need?

[Nevercallmebyneme]

I've actually made most of the parts I want myself I've just got two heads from droid characters I invented which are being difficult when I try to model them.

[efferman]

have you pictures of what you want?

[Nevercallmebyneme]

It just happens that I do. Meet Bob, the Battledroid who decided to be refited as a protocol droid and P3T3 the astromech who wanted to be a battle droid.

I did my best drawing lego part versions on the side but if you don't think they'd work, like they'd break apart or something, then I guess it wasn't meant to be.

[efferman]

your drawings are excellent, but before i can say yes or no, i need drwaings of the pure head from front, side, back and on top.

[Nevercallmebyneme]

What do you mean by pure head?

[efferman]

the part you need, without the parts you dont need.

[Epic Technic]

Hi efferman, I was wondering if you would be able to post the file for your torsen differential. I manage to find a 3D printer I can use and am working a what seems like my best MOC yet but it needs an advanced differential for better offroading; therefore having your wonderful torsen diff would be great. Thank you very much

[SNIPE]

Hi

I was just wondering if the small helical gear works by directly meshing to a worm gear (like a spur gear) and is transmission still reversable.

if so I could make OR gates, but right now it is not possible by just using gears alone.

[SNIPE]

Hi, is it possible for the small helical gear to drive a worm gear (unlike a spur gear), this would be so useful for automatic gearboxes, as well as OR gates to name a few things.

For example the worm gear here is shifted across the axle to either mesh with one but not both of the inputs, however when it cannot move any further id like it to then drive the worm gear, rotatably. Spur gears cannot do this because their teeth are not on an angle.

OR gate:

The two 8 tooth spur gears would be replaced by two small helical gears which act as inputs.

Here is an animation of the sort of setup that is required.

Regards, Snipe

Edited October 20, 2015 by SNIPE

[efferman]

no, helical gears only fit on itself or its opposite. a possibility would be a 2 studs long helical gear. But iam not sure if this can be moved on the axle by the other helical gear.

@ epictechnic

for a home printer you would need the files of the single pieces to print all in one run.

[SNIPE]

How come they dont fit on worm gears?

[efferman]

the helical gears have an angle of 45 degrees. the windings of the wormgear would cross the windings of the helical gear. And two things cannot be on the same time on the same space.

[SNIPE]

Oh so the teeth angles are different then. I wish lego would make such a helical gear, and so two helical gears can mesh with each other like this:

[efferman]

100_1223 by Michael Wirth, auf Flickr

torsen diff type A by Michael Wirth, auf Flickr

[SNIPE]

Idea!,

If you take out the two bushings in your second image and replace the axle with stop with a regular 8L axle will the gear move to one side when you rotate the bottom gear? (it wil probably slide the axle too but who cares)

if so I could technically use two helical gears instead of a worm and a helical gear.

I'll buy some helicals anyhow [when I get round to it!] because when paired they can run purpendicular.

Edited October 20, 2015 by SNIPE

[D3K]

Hello efferman!

I just placed an order for some parts you designed, and I am curious how long it usually takes for shapeways to process, make and ship the order? Do they normally provide tracking numbers?

Thanks in advance

EDIT:

I now see the estimated shipping date is ten days from now

Edited October 20, 2015 by D3K

[efferman]

Yes shapeways gives you a tracking link when it is shipped.