Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

So I am working on a new 2.2S rig for our up coming outdoor Series here in Massachusetts. I CAD'ed the beast up in Pro-E to get an idea of stance, link geometry and that stuff.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-J...147/2013-03-16

Instead of just diving in and starting to build I got the opportunity to Print the Chassis, Upper Link Mounts, and Front and Rear Deck with a 3D Printer (the parts in orange). I also had the opportunity to use a laser cutter so I mocked some of my links up using Laser Cut acrylic pieces (Al links except the rear lower).

It doesn't articulate for shit because there are no ball ends but it at least gives me an idea for stance and vertical travel.

Next steps are to continue to change out the printed and laser cut parts for real ones. There are aso going to be a coupe fun tricks. Stay Tuned!

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-n...315_090207.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-u...315_090212.jpg

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-G...216%280%29.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-8...315_090222.jpg

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

Nice man, all the orange what material is that?

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

That is absolutely awesome, lovin it much "thumbsup"

Greetings Frank

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

Its probably ABS....

My question is, will the shark fins hold up? and if a servo will mount up to that front plate.

Although, i do like the modeled losi axles...i've always meant to todo it, just never did it. What cad program are you using?

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

Thanks Guys,

All the orange is ABS printed material. The machine deposits it in thin lines, like spaghetti.

I don't plan on using the most of the parts for the real rig but it was a quick easy way to check fit and everything. I do hope to use the chassis for the real rig, because it will be a pain in the A$$ if I have to machine it.

I used Pro-E to cad up the Losi Axles, they are not perfect but certainly close enough for designing a rig. Any one who wants the CAD can shoot me a PM.

Brian

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

NC work. Sent you a PM requesting the CAD files for the LNC parts.

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

Hey Man,

Check your email.

Hope to get some more work done on it in the next couple days.

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

You've gone real creative with the printed parts, where's the rear driveshaft going, i don't see any room for it in de skid?

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

:mrgreen:

The Rear drive shaft is going to be the Ace up my sleeve. It is a new concept I am trying and will either be awesome, or not work at all. I hope to get time to get it done this weekend. I will keep you posted.

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

Flex shaft?

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

"thumbsup"

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

Sounds good, a lot of people have tried/looked at a flexible driveshaft but never really followed through. Well see...

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

I am not 100% confident but it is worth a shot.

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

I'm more than sceptical about the flex shaft but i will follow your progress with great interest"thumbsup"

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

I could see it working if you found one with the right strength to flexability ratio. I know they make them for rc boats. Im pretty sure i remember a losi with flex shafts.

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

So.... I got the flex shaft assembled. I think it is a little to "beefy". The losses rotating it when it is flexed are pretty high. Going to order some smaller guage cable and try again.

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-M...321_232726.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-z...321_233742.jpg

It is actually significantly lighter than the stock LCC axle.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-h...321_232643.jpg

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-6...321_232656.jpg

Stay tuned.

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

That may or may not be true, but the drive shaft shown is not from a LNC, it's from a LCC. The LNC drive shaft is much smaller diameter and consequently lighter.

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

True, Thanks for the correction (post edited). I did not get the LNC shafts with my used setup. Any idea on their weight?

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

Just happen to have a loose one. This one weighs 26.2g but that includes the detached socket that adapts to the tranny, a thick rubber ring I use to retain the pin and a couple inches of masking tape keeping all my loose pieces together. Still heavier than your flexie, but closer.

Re: Fun with 3D printers and Laser Cutters. A Losi Night Crawler for 2.2S class.
 

Cool, Thanks for the info man.

Just ordered some 7/32" flex cable, the one shown above is 5/16". Hoping the new stuff will offer the flex I need without all the resistance to rotation. Will also be even lighter.