Customer: RESEARCH INSTITUTION
Industry: Mechanical engineering
Technology: innovatiQ TiQ 2 Plus - industrial 3D printer
Material: PA-CF (carbon fiber reinforced polyamide)

Introduction/challenge
A research team needs a gearbox for a two-stage spur gear for use in a mobile robotic vehicle that is being tested in the prototype phase. The gearbox is not to be milled or cast, but produced in a timely manner using the FDM process.

Solution
Additive manufacturing on the institute's own innovatiq TiQ 2 Plus 3D printer.
This enables rapid testing of fits, attachment points and heat development during operation. PA-CF was chosen as the material because it offers high rigidity and temperature resistance. The carbon fiber reinforcement reduces distortion and increases the load-bearing capacity.
Mounting holes for bearings and fastening screws have been integrated. A cover with screw connection allows the housing to be opened quickly for maintenance or gear changes.

Result

In prototype construction, the development team was able to test different housing variants within a few days without having to resort to costly and time-consuming CNC machining. Design changes (e.g. adjustment of wall thicknesses or cooling openings) were made directly in the CAD file and printed again.

Conclusion
By using 3D printing for rapid part production, development time, test phases and iterations could be completed in a very short time.

Print example: TRANSMISSION BOX

Printer: innovatiQ TiQ 2 Plus

Material: PA-CF