Prompt

For this lab, there are two methods that you can use to create a gear system:
1. Use the attached template to hand build a simple gear system or
2. Use the gear generator app to produce a custom gear system, which you can lasercut and then assemble. 

Either method will result in a fantastic model of a spur gear system! Once you have this base, you can add gears, experiment with internal, planetary, or rack and pinion gears.

Instructions

Method 1: Hand Prototyping

1. Print out the Spur Gear Template that is attached to this post
2. Cut the paper shapes out
3. Use a glue stick to attach the paper cut-outs to a piece of cardboard
4. Using a pair of sharp scissors or an exact knife and cutting mat, cut the shapes out of cardboard
5. Mount the cardboard gears onto the base using brads (brass fasteners). You might need to adjust the spacing using the cardboard washers to make sure that the teeth of the gear mesh properly
6. Spin your gears!

Method 2: Lasercutting

1. Use this gear generator to create a spur gear system. Experiment with the number of teeth, the pressure angle, clearance etc. (pressing the update button each time to see the results).
2. Once you have a system that you want to fabricate, download a dxf file
3. Lasercut the dxf file out of cardboard. You may want to cut two of each gear and then glue them together to achieve a more functional thickness
4. Mount your gears on a cardboard platform using brads (brass fasteners)
5. Spin your gears!