This is quite an "inspiring" design that shows how much you can achieve with 3d printing if you design for 3d printing.
How did you decide on the amount of loops, width and print settings for the spring? Trial and error?
This is quite an "inspiring" design that shows how much you can achieve with 3d printing if you design for 3d printing.
How did you decide on the amount of loops, width and print settings for the spring? Trial and error?
@GoMartijn300_77173 Thanks. It would have been a lot easier to design if I focused on the end result, but I really like to design around the constraints of the printer (or laser cutter) and enjoy the challenge of trying to make something functional with only the one tool.
It was the 3rd spring design. The first would deform and not spring back enough. the 2nd was a spring similar to this. The 2nd spring had another wrap. When compressed I noticed that the spring didn't compress evenly, and didn't compress in the middle at all. I took one turn out and got this version.
I wanted the spring to have two paths wide, (so .4 nozzle that going to a .8mm width). The height of 10mm was somewhat arbitrarily chosen and is based upon the size of the latch.
I think this spring design works best for a rotational part. The spring is a little strong still, and might benefit from being shrunk. I have seen lots of spring designs, but they seem to look like helical springs which wouldn't works great for this as a print in place, that is why I went with a disc spring design.