3D Printing Metal Gears

[bicolexpress]

thread292-391985

Hi Guys,
Anybody here have experience using 3D printed metal gears inside gear box?
Are the 3D metal printed now has strength and hardness comparable to parts machined from solid metals?

Currently I am looking at these machines/equipment for 3D printing metal parts (see link below), has anybody here can shed lights on both technology - advantages/disadvantages?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25hNknLMS_M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXntl3ff5tc

By the way, I am from the Philippines and I am working in a machine shop that manufactures toolings, moulds and numerous machine parts.

Thanks and advance...

 

[SwinnyGG]

The major obstacles you will have for using 3D printed gears will be:

1) Knowing safe speeds/loads for these gears. You will wind up with parts which have a wider than normal range of physical properties.

2) surface finishes will not be useable right off of the printer- so you'll need to have a process to machine your gears to final shape, then polish and surface finish them just like you would with normal gear blanks.