Radial Load Bearing Ratchet Proof of Concept

thingiverse

The initial design of our ratchet model is inspired by RustedRobot's work. It aims to support hefty radial loads, for instance, from a hanging weight on a clock's power drum. However, it remains in its experimental stage and might require refinements. The current version relies on thin, springy ratchet arms to carry the load but poses challenges in design complexity and thickness. To reach the shaft, spokes need to span over the inner wheel. The goal is to improve the ratchet's performance by accommodating large radial loads within a single gear's thickness, potentially allowing for in-place 3D printing. To test its functionality, we seek volunteers to print one using ABS material and report back on its effectiveness as a ratchet. Our code at present is still under development and may break if parameters are changed due to its current unpolished state.