Configurable Planetary Gearset
Fully configurable planetary gearset generator for holiday gifting!
Enter a string, and the model generates a print-in-place gearset displaying that text, with individual gears generated for each character
Stable up to 13 characters string length
Adjustable captive magnet dimensions, meaning finished assembly can be used as a fridge magnet
Interaction
The user changes the configuration of the document to match their desired part
The "Name" input takes a string to display
The "depth" input allows the user to adjust the overall gearset thickness
Inputs for the magnet allow the user to insert a captive magnet during the 3D printing process, resulting in a seamless 1-piece magnetic print
Methods
This model was an exercise in the power of existing onshape features. Without needing to write any custom tools, the document does the following:
Calculates the length of the string
Identifies the gear ratios for a valid planetary gearset
Creates ring, sun, and single planet gear with the first character
Patterns the planet gear, updating the displayed character
Results
With a reasonably dialed-in 3D printer, the planets will rotate around the sun gear freely, with the herringbone gear teeth constraining axial motion
By pausing the print at certain layers, you can drop magnets into open internal sections of the print
For the last few layers, changing the filament to a different color results in clearer text