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New Smaller Track

A project log for Modular Continuous Track System

A inexpensive modular tank track system that can be used for robotic and radio controlled vehicles.

jupdykejupdyke 02/04/2016 at 04:544 Comments

This project has been growing so fast it is hard to post about all the parts. One of my customers asked if I could do a smaller size track and I got another size of pins made and a new mold. I did a few things differently on this mold as I have learned a lot over the past year of working on this project. I am trying to step up my injection mold design to get closer to how a commercial mold would be made.

I now have a runner which allows me to fill two cavities through a single hole. I would like to get to the point where I am filling the whole mold from a single inlet. But I was not sure how that would work. So I compromised and did only two parts per inlet. This way if it failed, I could always drill more inlets. I also reduced the size of the air vent. Now the vents are much smaller than the inlet which should help in the situation where one cavity fills before the other. Air can escape much easier than the resin so if one cavity fills first, the other should fill easier and equal out.

All in all, this experiment worked perfectly and now I can offer a second size product. Below are some photos. You can see some aluminum powder in the parts because this was the first time the mold was shot.

Discussions

Alex Rich wrote 02/04/2016 at 22:30 point

I wonder if overmolding is necessary, or if the pins could be pressed into an empty tread part.  Think about if you offered a 1" rubber tread "lego block" that could be used to build any track width you want.  You'd be able to stock any pin length that is a multiple of 1" and people could build narrow or wide treads as needed.  You would only have to have one mold and would be able to order that part in large volume.  Just an idea, I love the overmolded look though, it's pretty awesome.

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cvasold wrote 02/04/2016 at 21:58 point

They look great!  For years I was stymied on my tracked robot build because a suitable set of tracks didn't exist!  Now they do.  I'm about a week into my design that's lived in my head for 10 years.  I'll be contacting you shortly to get some for my build.  Thanks for pursuing this.  

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jupdyke wrote 02/04/2016 at 16:00 point

Thanks. I am working toward having a whole product line if different sizes and tread profiles. I dont like the idea of having to change your design to work with limited track options.

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zakqwy wrote 02/04/2016 at 14:57 point

those look great--I'm a big fan of the smaller size!

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