Newbie Scratch Build - D575A Dozer

[Originalrob]

Originally Posted by avel

The more photos the better! I also enjoy text. I love reading about how people make their own models and how they get around/solve problems along the way.

Yes totally agree ! and if I remember correctly it was a reason I started my own thread - to share my learning experience so I will keep true to this and add in my limited experience in this terrific hobby

Today I was adding in some details to the drive sprockets and fixing details:















The drive and transmission has been the most time sapping process to date. as I am not of a engineering background this has taken maybe far longer than it should have. Although there are a few very amazing scratch builds on this forum there wasn't enough details to help me make a knowledgeable decision in my build. So this is what I have gone with :

24v motors https://gimsonrobotics.co.uk/categor...d-24v-versions

1:2 reduction bevel gears to make right angle transition

Linear and thrust bearing on the internal shaft + locking nut

Tapered roller bearing in the hub/sprocket to sort out both axial and radial loads?

I will post some pics of the setup this week to illustrate

more details to follow

[Originalrob]

Mind dump incoming !

from my limited experience these are the following things I have learned that have made the most difference:

Get a DRO ! - its all about making parts that are repeatable ! this makes it so much easier ( CNC is the next step maybe one day)

Get quality tools if you can - you have probably heard this so many times before and I can attest buying a £20 M2 tap is far better than one that costs £2 ( trust me the cheap one will break on the first few holes whereas the other will just carry on for hundreds)

Be methodical - making repeatable parts means cleaning between parts , resetting dials, taking your time. don't take short cuts.

Design before any fabrication - as I am going along I actually wish I would have drawn everything up in Fusion 360 before I started. you can waste so much time re-centring / setting up parts that could be done in one .

Vinegar cleans all the mill scale and heat (soldering) blackening off metal you could ever need ! ( Bio Carb soda stops the process). I wish I knew tis from the first day. clean stock metal is very helpful when making repeatable parts.

I am still figuring out the rest !

Rob