Cat Exercise Wheel

prusaprinters

<h3><strong>Only a few small test pieces have been printed to test the fits; otherwise this is still non-printed and under development.</strong></h3><h3><strong>Files, instructions, and other stuff might change!</strong></h3><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I saw a Facebook post showing a 3D printed exercise wheel. It looked challenging, so I decided to attempt designing my own. I have two indoor cats that desperately need some more exercise.</p><p>As I've designed this, I realized the cost of materials is approaching the cost of purchasing a lower cost wheel. This may end up being nothing but a design exercise for me, more than an exercise wheel for the cats.</p><h5>Specs</h5><ul><li>Wheel diameter 48 inches</li><li>Total height 49 inches</li><li>Running surface diameter 46 inches</li><li>Width 10 inches</li></ul><h3><br><i><strong>This is a large print</strong></i></h3><p><strong>Note:</strong> I've oriented the stl's as I designed them for printing. They should print without supports. In Cura, I enabled "Bridge Settings" and left the settings at default.</p><h5>&nbsp;</h5><h5><strong>Print Quantities</strong></h5><ul><li>Wheel Section.stl - Quantity 12</li><li>Side Race.stl - Quantity 24</li><li>Stand.stl - Quantity 2<br>&nbsp;</li></ul><p>Cura's estimated print time, using a .4 mm nozzle at .3 mm resolution, is more than 9 days of continuous printing. Therefore, a larger nozzle is required. A .8 mm nozzle at .6 mm resolution lowers the print time to 2 days.</p><p>I have not tested a print with the .8 mm nozzle but the previews in Cura seem to look okay.</p><p>As I said, this is a large print and requires a large bed. My Hypercube build volume is 300x300x270. This model just fits.</p><h5><strong>Parts to complete build:</strong></h5><ul><li>Side Race Screws: Quantity 24 - M3x8 Flat head</li><li>Stand Screws: Quantity 4 - M6x10 Flat Head</li><li>Skate Axles: Quantity 4 Axles - <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Roller-Skates-Female-Screws-Inline/dp/B06XJH2NGZ/ref=rvi_sccl_9/141-5838001-8246258?pd_rd_w=djFpy&amp;content-id=amzn1.sym.f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&amp;pf_rd_p=f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&amp;pf_rd_r=0T1QW4XWBWSB5HHP32DN&amp;pd_rd_wg=XJy8t&amp;pd_rd_r=5d457cd6-0688-44f6-bc65-64259ab61c6d&amp;pd_rd_i=B06XJH2NGZ&amp;th=1">MUXSAM 10Pcs 0.24"/6mm OD Inline Skate Axle Screws</a></li><li>Skate Wheels: Quantity 4 Wheels - <a href="https://smile.amazon.com/FuTaiKang-Inline-Wheels-Replacement-Bearings/dp/B085VDB27X/ref=rvi_sccl_18/141-5838001-8246258?pd_rd_w=eZrpb&amp;content-id=amzn1.sym.f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&amp;pf_rd_p=f5690a4d-f2bb-45d9-9d1b-736fee412437&amp;pf_rd_r=M1KZYF8RGKB77SWTY1ST&amp;pd_rd_wg=uBUQ6&amp;pd_rd_r=a353c1eb-fd59-4e47-bee6-f3ebcf97a9bd&amp;pd_rd_i=B085VDB27X&amp;th=1">NEWCOMDIGI 8 Pack Inline Skate Wheels</a></li><li>3/4 inch x 36 inch Square Aluminum Tube</li><li>&nbsp;EVA Dense Foam Pad (something for kitty to run on and not get their claws caught)</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>Continuing Development:</strong></h3><ul><li>The current design requires drilling and tapping the ¾ inch aluminum tube. Without the necessary tools the current design is not buildable.</li></ul>