YouTuber Mishin Machine has produced a video that guides viewers through the process of manufacturing a wave drive, a type of gearbox that is ideal for use in small spaces due to its minimal backlash, in a largely 3D-printed assembly.
The video highlights that while the drive relies on steel ball bearings, the rest of the components can be produced with 3D printers, allowing users to create a wave drive to suit their specific needs in terms of size and design.
The wave drive is best combined with a stepper motor and suitable off-the-shelf parts to create a high-reduction gearbox that is robust enough to withstand high levels of torque.
Wave drives are a more rudimentary design compared with cycloidal drives, and while their efficiency is not high due to roller resistance, this is not an issue for many applications.
