Introduction: Strong Worm Gearbox on 3d Printer

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Strong Worm Gear 1:20 with metal worm and metal reinforcements.

Supplies

  • Confirmat Screw 6x50 mm
  • Washers
  • 1 pcs D outer 15mm, D inner 3 mm
  • 2 pcs D outer 15mm, D inner 6 mm
  • Nails 32 pcs D 2 mm, length at least 20mm
  • Long Nut M6
  • Plastic PLA/PETG/ABS... ~ 50g
  • Lubricant

Step 1: Print Plastic Parts

Download models from https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5414478 and print them.

For the wheel, I would recommend specifying 3mm for walls to make it as strong as possible. The box walls should be at least 2mm (3-4 mm would be better).

Step 2: Wheel Reinforcement (optional)

In order to make the wheel stronger, you can reinforce it with nails.

Cut off 12 nail tails in 5-6 mm length and put them into special slots inside the wheel.

Step 3: Gear Teeth

Nails are used as gear teeth. Teeth hook the worm and rotate the wheel.

Prepare 20 nail shanks in 12-13 mm without tips.

Insert all teeth into the wheel.

Use a file to avoid burrs on the teeth.

Step 4: Prepare the Worm

Confirmat screw is used as a worm. The tail of the screw has to be round (without thread) to be placed inside a washer 15x3 mm. Use a file to avoid thread on the screw tail.

Step 5: Assembly

  1. Put washers 1 and 2 into the box
  2. Lubricate the wheel
  3. Insert the wheel
  4. Lubricate the confirmat screew
  5. Screw the confirmat in
  6. Put the washer 3 into the box

Step 6: Test

Here you can see my test of the gearbox by my screwdriver.