Just a test to see how would it work a printed chain drive system.

It works but... because of the "curling" of the filament and the inaccurate assembly of the steps, the chain is too much tensioned to make it move with a nema17 like motor.

Thus the results of the test are: needs improvement :-P

Sorry for:

1. The scad file, it works fine for the assembly in the pictures but it has not been tested so it may not work when you change the parameters.
2. The instructions... too much words I guess...

More pics? http://aubenc.imgur.com/chain__pinions#2Yi6B

UPDATE

There's people out there making things with this thing, GREAT!
So I've make few changes to the code to make it a little bit easier, just a little bit.

Basically, now is easier to stack pinions together.

I remove the scad file and upload the new version (which is also capable to produce the old parts), I also upload a screenshot from one possible set of pinions and, of course the stl files for this example.

Enjoy!

Again an UPDATE

New scad file (oups!). I had to remove some silly thing I did in previous version but the real reason for this update is the 5mm (hope it's enough) of clearance I added to the system holder to allow assembling thing 5690 by foxdewayne.

I didn't need to ream any hole. I've printed ssssloooooowly and with less plastic than it would look like it is necessary.

1. Print the chain plates sets (see that the nozzle is well centered @ X0,Y0). You'll be very happy if your printer does it well without raft.
2. Start assembling the chain, you only need 32 thin plates and 16 thick ones for this thing). File a little bit the tip of the filament, insert it in the plates and cut it letting some 3mm at each side. I used a "micro drop" of superglue to secure the outside plates with the pin. Do not do it everywhere! let some pins without glue so you'll be able to disassemble the chain.
3. If you are still willing to continue :-) print one of the half pinions, try it with the chain, print if 3 more times if it looks ok or change the "gap" paramter in the scad file to adjust.
4. Glue the pinions using the chain for aligment.
5. Pint the holder and assemble everything together.