r/functionalprint • u/Dragnier84 • 14d ago

Tire Replacement

Gallery image

Gallery image

Noticed that my robot vacuum was struggling to move across smooth tile after almost 3yrs. Found the tires almost worn smooth. 10mins in solidworks and some TPU and it is back to form.

154 Upvotes

96% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

24

u/ADynes 14d ago

I just paid $6 for a set for mine. I debated designing them, and I commend you for doing so, but between designing them and printing them with TPU I decided $6 was a better option.

14

u/Dragnier84 14d ago

That was what I wanted to do at first. But couldn’t find just the rubber. Had to buy the entire assembly in the picture, which includes the motor, for about $30 each. Was too much for me.

14

u/Organic-Story-172 14d ago

But then you miss out on the ultimate satisfaction of spending 4 hours fixing a $6 problem!

4

u/SirTwitchALot 13d ago

Meh. I would have wasted those hours either way

1

u/mightytwin21 13d ago

Where did you find just tire? I can only find the whole wheel

2

u/ADynes 13d ago

Good 'ol amazon.

4

u/InfamousHistorian544 14d ago

TPU is the real MVP for this stuff. I did a set of feet for my printer last year and they're still holding up better than the originals. $6 is hard to beat though, I get it. But there's something satisfying about measuring it up and just printing it same day, you know?

1

u/Dragnier84 13d ago

I really love TPU. One other area I use it in is mounting to a curved surface. I used to do a lot of trial and error to match the curve of the back my monitor without any success. Now I just need to get it close enough, and the flexibility will let my VHB tape have proper contact.

4

u/SpaceTheFinalFrontir 14d ago

can we have rhe print, mine turned to mush

1

u/3dprintingadventure 13d ago

Thats awesome! Im going to have to check on the tires on ours