Newsgroups: comp.robotics
Path: brunix!uunet!tcsi.tcs.com!agate!ames!xenon.arc.nasa.gov!laforce
From: laforce@xenon.arc.nasa.gov (Soren LaForce)
Subject: Re: How to Make Axels/Bearings/Belts/Bushings/Gears/Pulleys?
Message-ID: <19JUL199309145716@xenon.arc.nasa.gov>
Followup-To: comp.robotics
Summary: How do I make gear-stuffs for small robots?
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.41    
Keywords: axel, bearing, belt, bushing, gear, pulley
Sender: usenet@news.arc.nasa.gov
Organization: NASA Ames Res. Ctr. Mtn Vw CA 94035
References: <22688lINN85k@uwm.edu>
Date: Mon, 19 Jul 1993 16:14:00 GMT
Lines: 33

In article <22688lINN85k@uwm.edu>, rick@ee.uwm.edu (Rick Miller) writes...
>I've been stripping small, broken electronics for motors, gears, pulleys
>bearings (bushings, really) and axels for a couple small (under 30cm dia.)
>robotic projects of mine, but it's a real pain finding stuff that'll match!
> 
>Does anyone have any hints on how to make good/quick/cheap mechanical
>components like these for small, high-efficiency robotics?

The best helpful hint I can give is: 

	strip old, broken items for parts.

There is an outfit called "Small Parts (?)."  They have this stuff but
it's not cheap.

If there is a slot car track near you (check yellow pages under "slot
cars"), they will have a selection of 1/8 & 3/32 axles, bushing, and 
bearings, as well as 48, 64, and 80 pitch gears.  Other hobby stores
may also have this stuff, but usually not as good a selection or as
much variety.

You do not want to fab your own gears.  To convince youself of this,
check any mechanical design book (eg. "Mechanical Design" by 
Shigley  - I may have the title wrong, it's been a while).

> 
>Maybe I shouldn't be using metal?  Plastic?  Wood?  ?
> 
>What (hopefully simple/inexpensive) machinery would I need?
> 
>RICK MILLER            <rick@ee.uwm.edu> Voice: +1 414 221 3403 FAX: -4744
>16203 WOODS            Send me a postcard, and I'll return another to you!
>53150-8615 USA         Sendu al mi bildkarton, kaj mi redonos alian al vi!
