1/10 caterpillar 140h motor grader 3d printed

[Orange RC Works]

Started working on the CAD models of this project couple of months ago and just recently started printing the parts and assembling them as i go. Basic structure is done, drivetrain is done...actuators are working (ripper is next), cab is next.

[jerry56]

I just can't get over the CAD skills. I use tinkerCad and just do really basic stuff, this is just mind boggling .
Did you do the wheels as 2 or three pieces I see the blue stripe in the middle...

[ddmckee54]

Looking good!

Are you going to use your regular powered ram design for the hydraulic cylinders?

[Orange RC Works]

Originally Posted by jerry56

I just can't get over the CAD skills. I use tinkerCad and just do really basic stuff, this is just mind boggling .
Did you do the wheels as 2 or three pieces I see the blue stripe in the middle...

Thanks, i kinda liked the challenge of figuring out a shape to model when starting out a project, also, i need to figure out how to cut a piece so i dont have to print with so much support which will all just be waste afterwards, if you know what i mean, also, the big pieces would have to be printed in sections coz i have a small printing surface, the hard part is joining the big pieces and getting them aligned and straight... anyway, i have to print the wheels in 2 pieces coz if i do it in 1 piece, i would have to remove a big piece of support because of how deep the wheel is. downside is you wont get a perfect circle when its printed in 2 pieces, i still have to figure out how to make it not wobble too much, im thinking of using a heat gun to heat it up a little bit then turning it in a drill so i can maybe push the walls.

[Orange RC Works]

Originally Posted by ddmckee54

Looking good!

Are you going to use your regular powered ram design for the hydraulic cylinders?

yes i do, with an N20 gearmotor though i have to redesign it to make it smaller by making the walls thinner, coz i know that the cylinders on these graders are long and typically smaller in diameter.

[Orange RC Works]

Cab build has started...

[ddmckee54]

I see that now, I was thinking that maybe you were planning on running the wires through the fake hydraulic hoses.

[Orange RC Works]

Originally Posted by ddmckee54

I see that now, I was thinking that maybe you were planning on running the wires through the fake hydraulic hoses.

You know i never thought of that, i could have done that on the 2 long lifting cylinders but i guess my mind got stuck on the short ones where there is no way to have the wires run inside the cylinder body. I guess i may redesign those lifting cylinders, lets see... and thanks for the heads up.

[frizzen]

Great looking machine!!
Looks like it's really coming along fast. Which plastic are you using for this?

[Orange RC Works]

Originally Posted by frizzen

Great looking machine!!
Looks like it's really coming along fast. Which plastic are you using for this?

Still using PLA for this build, its a mix of PLA+, regular PLA and Tough PLA coz im still using the old 1st Gen Ender 3 printer LOL... I was supposed to start using the new anycubic Kobra Go printer which i bought on sale but i still have not opened the box... oh i remember, i dont have anymore space for another printer so i need to organize and make some space for it to sit on. I did try to use ABS once but for some reason, I was not able to get the results i want, the prints are falling apart, and it frustrated me... so went back to PLA.

[Orange RC Works]

Engine cover is on...accessory lighting is on.. next is the ripper and cab interior.

[ddmckee54]

It looks like you've got aluminum extrusions for the frame rails under the engine. Is there anything extra in the beam that supports the blade and the front wheels? Or did you print it with extra perimeters?

[Orange RC Works]

Originally Posted by ddmckee54

It looks like you've got aluminum extrusions for the frame rails under the engine. Is there anything extra in the beam that supports the blade and the front wheels? Or did you print it with extra perimeters?

The aluminum is the same channel trim for 3/4" plywood that I have used on the Oshkosh and Kenworth truck chassis, I just had to trim it a little bit. thought it would make the tub chassis a lot stiffer... also the arching beam is printed but with a 3/4 thick plywood sandwiched in between the beam which is U-shaped, i had to scrape the upper middle part of the plywood to make way for the wires from the servo and the headlight and for the motor power lines as well... the plywood would give it stiffness and some weight.

[ddmckee54]

I didn't realize that front beam was that thick, a piece of 3/4" ply glued in there will do wonders for its' strength.

I was thinking that the beam was thinner and maybe had a piece of aluminum plate glued in there for extra support.

[jerry56]

Slick idea using plywood... I keep forgetting this is 1/10 so it's a lot bigger than one would think....

[Orange RC Works]

Ripper assembly is installed... moving on to the cab interior....

[ddmckee54]

How long did it take you to get the openings in the engine covers cleaned up and ready for paint? I know you've said you sand until you're happy with things, but that would have driven me bonkers.

[Orange RC Works]

Originally Posted by ddmckee54

How long did it take you to get the openings in the engine covers cleaned up and ready for paint? I know you've said you sand until you're happy with things, but that would have driven me bonkers.

i had to print that side flat on the bed otherwise, if standing up, i had to clean up a lot of stuff, and that side panel is almost 26.5 cm so it had to be in 2 sections to fit on the printer bed, then i just glue the 2 sections together, the 2nd picture is the grille face down on the printer...

[Orange RC Works]

this is the complete assembly of the engine compartment

[Zabco]

Very impressive piece of work, will really be interesting to see in in action when complete. Like the idea of using the plywood to strengthen the structure. What kind of adhesive did you use to bond the PLA to the wood?