Curious about the wheels, was seriously irritated how bumpy the ride was for my aunt’s stock wheelchair. Felt like compliant TPU tread-rim sections, and CNC’d hubs could help balance fabrication time and improve ride comfort. fwiw have some sinusoidal shark wheel inspired openscad based wheel generators somewhere, the sinusoidal wheels use less material (Faster print …) than typical wheel, and help deflect small debris, skaters seem to like them for smoother ride.
The one I delivered yesterday and before we could get home the family sent me a video of the little girl pushing herself through walmart lol. No complaints of a bumpy ride. How you print the tires can effect it though. Too soft and they will bump at the transitions between the pieces. But for the most part it’s pretty good.
Also I will throw this out there. This beta is not to reinvent the wheel (no pun intended). This really needs to be a follow the directions build. The system MakeGood has set up offers liability insurance coverage to every vetted maker in the world (where laws allow) and because of that we do require things vital to the chairs function to stay “stock”. What we are proving with this beta is that the files can be taken by users other than just Myself and Ryan, cut on their machines and assembled correctly with the prescribed parts. All of that being said, throwing out options and all is awesome and will for sure be taken back to the team to be looked at and vetted.
Sounds awesome. More than happy to follow the stock approved design. Will make notes along the way and share feedback as appropriate for the next rev.
Just got permission from the mom to post this…
Maybe the project should reach out to this guy and get a version of his MTB tire made for it…
This is so unbelievably awesome with all of this good work and resources going to so many children in need. I used to be a nurse in the Pediatric ICU, and during that time I have seen quite a few families that need more than they can give to help their child thrive after they bring them back home.
I applaud your project, and count me in on whatever you need. I would love to see it grow.
As an aside, I still have close connections to my nursing college and they have connections to a dozen hospital institutions in my area. If the organization is looking to make family connections or something else I might be able to help.
Absolutely! We are always looking for organizations to sign up to be partners. They can even request a chair to have at the facility to use to show families and help fit children to make sure it will work for them before they request one! 3d-mobility.org
That’s great, thank you for the link and I’ll pass it on and follow up with some conversations when I learn a little more about the project.
I do have one question:
It looks really rigid, but also a bit uncomfortable. Are you also working on upholstery or pads to go with it? (as I look over longingly to my upholstery sewing machine…)
Yes. It will have a TPU printed bottom and back cushion similar to what we use on the 3DTMT currently.
Okay, I see it now. The CNC plywood is replacing the frame pieces but will still resemble the original chair.
Smart!
once the base works, the next goal is a cnc tpu wheel. so maybe more specifically right now the focus is going to be on the chair, cushions, and chest harness system.
currently it is using the current printed wheel and tpu tread. but if the chair works out, next up is the wheel. I am sure we all already have ideas for that.
Cool project.
Wish I could help out, but current reality is a bummer.
Locally we’ve set all-time records for rainfall this summer and my basement is a mess. Fixing the LR (and Primo, and other LR) tables is underway, so that they can help with fixing all the other things.) Add in that in the past 12 months, my house, garage and car have all been broken into and robbed (Garage 2 times) and I’ve got a bunch of stuff to do around here. I’ll be lucky to have time to do anything really interesting before the snow flies.
Best wishes for the project though, it looks great so far.
No worries Dan. I know you have been having it super rough lately! I truly do hope things are on the uphill swing for you!!!
If you wanted a little more inspiration to give this a shot, @Jonathjon & @CarmenJ are spreading the word far wide and fast!!! You two are amazing, thank you for letting me help, and thank you for all that you do.
If and when this CNC version happens, I am very excited to see how we can make this thing even bigger than it already is.
Thank you for the very kind words @vicious1! But seriously the pleasure has been all mine having you work with us on this! I have always been amazed with your designs, and finally getting to watch step by step as one comes to life has truly been an honor and I can’t thank you enough!!!
I can’t wait till we get to see pics of the first one you cut out!!!
@vicious1 I am so thrilled to have you on board with this project! You’re experience with CAD and CNC is going to be a great addition to the team. Joining a new project takes a leap of faith and I am glad you jumped. Looking forward to seeing what the outcome becomes. Thank you for all you have already done and the work you continue to do.
Count me in! It looks like the 3DP parts will fit on my Bambu P1S, so I’d be able to cut and print the necessary parts.
100% the entire 3DTMT is designed to fit on that size printer so you will have no issues.
Man oh man, as I get older I wonder if there will be anything left for anyone to say that Riley was a great guy! Jon, you and wife have done that BRAVO!!!