3D printing is a relatively new technology that’s starting to take over the world. Now in the hands of manufacturers and consumers alike, 3D printing simplifies the engineering process, enabling for faster prototyping and greater precision when creating everything from machine parts to statuettes.
But could modern 3D printing be used to make gears?
Materials
The first major problem with 3D printing for gear applications is the types of materials used. Most 3D printers rely on plastics or resin compounds to produce finished products, and for most applications, these are unacceptable. Some gears are made from plastic, but the majority need a stronger base, comprising metals.
Precision
Most 3D printers are highly accurate; however, there are still tiny differences in a finished product that deviate from the original design. For most applications, these differences are unnoticeable, but for a gear in a delicate machine, these could easily cause a problem with the unit.
Types of Gears
Spur gears aren’t the only type of gears available, but they’re some of the most common and basic. Most other types of gears are in some way more complex, which would make them even harder to produce using a modern 3D printer. Helical gears, for instance, would require even greater precision, and would be difficult to make reliably.
The Future
Unfortunately, most gear applications are currently closed off to the possibility of 3D printing, due to limits in available materials and precision. However, 3D printing is a technology that’s improving rapidly, with new devices and better understanding of its potential. Soon, we may have printers capable of printing in metallic compounds, with higher precision and reliability, and when that happens, 3D printing could become the norm for gear manufacturing.