3d printed airbag suspension

[bigdogrod]

with some files from the great people who created them over at grabcad (Steen Winther) and thingverse (Svenis).

the airbag setup was for a single axle truck so i modified it by doubling it up and made the top part so it would attach to the existing 3 holes from the leaf spring setup. i'm still tweaking the mount a bit as the 1st generation hit the wheels.

the 1st gen arms shock mounts were for single axle as well and wouldn't work for double axle, so i shortened them and added a shock pocket. the movement isn't smooth yet so version 3 will be tweaked a bit more

still waiting on the ninjaflex filament to print the bags.

[Cooper]

I did similar for trailer builds. Keep me posted on the ninjaflex material. I used a soft filiment and tried to print tires. It didn’t turn out well. I forget what material I was using something with the name sun in it. It was flexible but too stiff yet, I didn’t try another print with thinner fill. The outside was fuzzy also. I’m not intending to discourage you but would like to know how it works for you so I can get the right material. I did smooth the outside with a vapor bath and it did smooth out fairly well. But with my printer and material I was using I could not get small detail like treads to come out. Keep up the great work and lots of pics!!

[bigdogrod]

you're brave, i wouldn't try tires.. lol

ninjaflex should be here friday what i've read, you've got to slow the machine way down so the filament doesn't stretch or compress as it's trying to print

[ramjetexpress]

Very nice , I've personally never seen a Tandem tractor air ride system configured like that with the pivot point between the wheels , and the bags at either end , but that's not to say it wouldn't work .( I've driven for 30 years ) ...( but I do not claim to know everything)

I printed the same suspension for my truck and it does spread the wheelbase between the axles , so I need a new longer dogbone

[bigdogrod]

kenworth 8 bag my friend..



ridewell single point.. this might be my next attempt



this setup has not been published as i'm still tweaking it, it does not spread the axles and everything bolts up to stock holes which was the point. my future plans are to do a full custom setup to be used on a blank frame

[ramjetexpress]

Well there ya go. That's a first for me , I apologize for my confusion . What year would that be from ? Anyhow I like what you did with the original files , modifying them to suit your needs . A talent I wish I had for sure . What software allows such a thing ?

Thanks

[bigdogrod]

no worries, it's all good. don't know what year that is from, looks old though. i only drove otr for like 3 (jb hunt) and switched to local. still have my CDL class A though, but dropped hazmat, didn't want to take the test anymore.. lol .

i use tinkercad and full autocad, i'm learning fusion360

[ramjetexpress]

http://www.truckcomponentsonline.com...200-AG400.HTML

I should have known better when I said I've never seen a air ride that's configured to pivot in the center ...doh a lot of the Kw's were configured that way ... One would never know I worked for a Kenworth Dealer for a few years ....

[ramjetexpress]

I think the 8 bags through me off

[bigdogrod]

man if i could get some 3d cad files, i'd like to give that 8 bag setup a whirl. not sure about keeping it in the stock location, it looks like the rear bag will hit the end of the framerail

i searched for kenworth airglide cad files and came across this pic...

[bigdogrod]

update/ revision 4:

ditched the shocks, tweaked the center mount, arms, and top bag mounts so that everything aligns and can still use the stock suspension mounts. the flexible filament will be in next week and i can continue. might shrink the top mounts a bit as the rear bumper mount screws are a bit close.

[ramjetexpress]

Looking great

[Zabco]

Is the cross member printed also? Hard to tell but looks like a casting. Love the overall look. Really hoping the ninja flex works out.

[bigdogrod]

cross member is integy i think with bottom bracket removed, but i can try and draw one up if this thing pans out

edit: yup integy:

https://www.integy.com/st_prod.html?...w#.WtPMw4jwaUk

[egronvold]

Good job! It tends to be a few mods before a final product is ready

[Zabco]

Originally Posted by bigdogrod

cross member is integy i think with bottom bracket removed, but i can try and draw one up if this thing pans out

Ah, ok thanks for reply. I'm not that familiar with integy products so I didn't recognize it.

[DrDiff]

I hope that these lead to a kit that people with out a 3D printer could buy!

[Cooper]

An idea that someone told me with reguards to printed parts. We can print almost any shape but strength isn't always available with this material. Sometimes you can cheat a bit by having hollow pockets or incorporating inexpensive, easy to find hardware store aluminum or steel, that can be hidden inside a printed part. Ya know , basically printing parts that can be glued together around even just a metal rod. Kind of takes the design up a few levels of hair pulling . But can add strength if needed. I'm still just amazed at the seemingly endless possibilities of what we can make, and what great ideas guys like you share!! Cool pics of those back ends too, thanks.

[bigdogrod]

i printed the parts solid, so they should be pretty strong. however the hinge points might be an issue, but i can thicken those up if real world testing breaks them

[gooba]

whats your ride height with this setup vs stock suspension?