I designed a VFD conversion skid that allows stock links.

[GTSLOW]

Let me first start by saying, don't ever let someone tell you something isn't possible. Some of you may remember my other post where I mounted a VFD and the VFD skid in my Gladiator HERE. It required extensive frame rail modification and custom rear links. I inquired on social media only to be met with negativity and that it wasn't possible.

Well here it is! After 10 hours, three drafts, and some wasted resin, I present the SCX10iii conversion skid.

It's not complete yet. I'm working on the front mounts as I type this.

As always here's some pictures! Now I need a donor truck and some testers. Unfortunately my Gladiator has been hacked away.



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[GTSLOW]

Some notes and thoughts.

Why the VFD? I ran the stock Gladiator once. Even with a Traxxas plastic spur it's still incredibly noisy. I wasn't at all impressed with the dig or two speed. The VFD looks fantastic, kicks the motor a tad lower, offers a variety of overdrive options, and is SILENT.

How is this printed? The power of stereolithography or SLA printers! I'm using a Photo Mono X. Given the complexity of this skid I do not think a traditional FDM printer could achieve the accuracy or areas that I needed. I'm using a mixture of resins from Siraya. Additionally, I'm going to have my testers experiment with some versions that have been cured extra long on the underside. Either way this resin mixture is STRONG.

[B-MOW71]

Great job on the design! Nice to see that you were able to make it fit. The VFD is a great option to replace the stock trans. I may have to swap my JT trans out for a VFD in the future.

[tonered]

3D printing rocks.

Killer job on the design!

[GTSLOW]

Some minor tweaks to the skid. 1) dropped bottom about 1.5mm including the lower link holes. The hardware heads were colliding with the bottom of the frame rails. 2) dropped the top of the skid 1.5mm. This allowed me to get the VFD lower.

Also completed up the two front mounts.

All three are in the printer now.

The photo is from my slicer which creates the file that the printer can be read. I'm likely a little over zealous with my supports...lol

I'm hopeful a local friend will bring is Gladiator over Sunday for a conversion with lots of pics.

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[GTSLOW]

Originally Posted by B-MOW71

Great job on the design! Nice to see that you were able to make it fit. The VFD is a great option to replace the stock trans. I may have to swap my JT trans out for a VFD in the future.

Don't get me wrong it isn't terrible. But for someone like me who has no intention of running a dig or two speed, it wasn't for me.

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[GTSLOW]

Originally Posted by tonered

3D printing rocks.

Killer job on the design!

Seriously! I think back just a few years ago when we were fabbing things out of whatever was on the bench. Now we can make almost anything to very specific dimensions.

Resin printing has really opened my eyes to even bigger possibilities than when I just had my Ender 3.

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[B-MOW71]

Originally Posted by GTSLOW

Don't get me wrong it isn't terrible. But for someone like me who has no intention of running a dig or two speed, it wasn't for me.

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I hear ya! The stock trans in my JLU and JT are click free, smooth and quiet! I just like how the VFD operates in my Origin and PRO and how low and forward the motor sits. And if the DIG was needed, the VP DIG paired with the VFD trans is a bullet proof design!

[tonered]

Originally Posted by GTSLOW

Some minor tweaks to the skid. 1) dropped bottom about 1.5mm including the lower link holes. The hardware heads were colliding with the bottom of the frame rails. 2) dropped the top of the skid 1.5mm. This allowed me to get the VFD lower.

Also completed up the two front mounts.

All three are in the printer now.

The photo is from my slicer which creates the file that the printer can be read. I'm likely a little over zealous with my supports...lol

I'm hopeful a local friend will bring is Gladiator over Sunday for a conversion with lots of pics.

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Nothing wrong with extra supports, esp in SLA.

[tonered]

Originally Posted by GTSLOW

Seriously! I think back just a few years ago when we were fabbing things out of whatever was on the bench. Now we can make almost anything to very specific dimensions.

Resin printing has really opened my eyes to even bigger possibilities than when I just had my Ender 3.

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Resin or SLS are definitely superior. But, I do miss the FDM machines at my old company. We were trying to make cheap production parts. Came very close before I left.

I have a few FDM parts on my motorcycle and a few SLS parts on my truck.


Someday, I will get my own.

[GTSLOW]

Originally Posted by tonered

Resin or SLS are definitely superior. But, I do miss the FDM machines at my old company. We were trying to make cheap production parts. Came very close before I left.



I have a few FDM parts on my motorcycle and a few SLS parts on my truck.





Someday, I will get my own.

I agree. FDM is still fantastic for many uses. Plus the durability of those PETG prints were great. Picked up my Mono X last year when I was making 3D grills for lexans bodies. She sadly sat idle this summer but has came back to life for this new project.

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[tonered]

Originally Posted by GTSLOW

I agree. FDM is still fantastic for many uses. Plus the durability of those PETG prints were great. Picked up my Mono X last year when I was making 3D grills for lexans bodies. She sadly sat idle this summer but has came back to life for this new project.

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PET was my favorite for anything structural.

The resolution and strength of SLA / SLS is just lusty though. It has been a while since I was paying attention. Are there any fiber reinforced resins yet? We stayed away from reinforced filaments because of nozzle wear.

[GTSLOW]

Originally Posted by tonered

PET was my favorite for anything structural.



The resolution and strength of SLA / SLS is just lusty though. It has been a while since I was paying attention. Are there any fiber reinforced resins yet? We stayed away from reinforced filaments because of nozzle wear.

Ah yes, I've read about by never tried that stuff with my FDM. As far as resins, there has been some big releases in the last six months. I feel like we're just in the crawl phase as to what's to come! Every month the screen sizes, resolution, print speed, and pricing improves.

A big deal on the Mono X group I'm part of is resin mixing. A company called Siraya released something called tenacious. Many have done 4:1 mixtures with their normal stuff and have been able to use the same print settings.

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[tonered]

Originally Posted by GTSLOW

Ah yes, I've read about by never tried that stuff with my FDM. As far as resins, there has been some big releases in the last six months. I feel like we're just in the crawl phase as to what's to come! Every month the screen sizes, resolution, print speed, and pricing improves.

A big deal on the Mono X group I'm part of is resin mixing. A company called Siraya released something called tenacious. Many have done 4:1 mixtures with their normal stuff and have been able to use the same print settings.

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Geez. I've been out of the loop for over 2yrs. Definitely a dog year situation. I gotta get back into it.

[GTSLOW]

Mission accomplished.

[JSterrett]

Originally Posted by GTSLOW

Mission accomplished.

Very nice work . A resin printer of some sort is probably next on my list. I can get pretty good details with my Prusa but FDM can only get you so far…




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[tonered]

Originally Posted by GTSLOW

Mission accomplished.

Wow.

That makes me want to do the VFD conversion.

Very nice!

[D440]

Where the motor goes?

[GA Dawg]

Originally Posted by D440

Where the motor goes?

The motor installs on the under-side of the VFD transmission.

[GTSLOW]

V5 hit the rocks today! This marks the first time this setup has actually been driven!

Initials notes and thoughts:
-skid can be raised by 1.5-2mm
-side edges will be angled 45 degrees for additional clearance
-add additionall rounding to the front and back edges

It ran great and my testers only complaint was that it had more OD! Lol... this was the stock six or whatever percent.

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