3D Printed RC Car Tops 30mph On Rubber-Band Power

3D Printed RC Car Tops 30mph On Rubber-Band Power

This amazing machine comes to us via DesignBoom.com, and is the work of Max Greenberg, Sameer Yeleswarapu, and Ian Cullimore. Dubbed “Cirin,” the car was designed for Formula E racing at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, CA. Battery power operates the steering and braking systems and a Tactic radio system controls the car, but propulsion power is derived entirely from energy stored in a wound rubber band that measures sixteen feet long before winding. Top speed exceeds 30mph, and the car can travel a few hundred feet per run. SolidWorks was used for the mechanical design, and the unique, organic-looking chassis was created using Rhino and T-Spline programs.  Design team member Max Greenberg explains, “We drew inspiration from mid 1950’s formula 1 cars as well as the truss structures found inside the bones of a bird’s wing. These structure are both light and rigid, ideal properties for the car we wanted to design.” It shows–this thing is beautiful.

3D printed rubber band car 2

You can bet a power drill is used to wind that rubber band. Doing it by hand would take for-ev-er.

 

3D printed rubber band car

Granted, there’s no suspension to clutter the design, but it sure does look sleek. The chassis was 3D-printed using a laser-sintered nylon powder material. There’s no way such an intricate design could be constructed as a single piece using injection molding techniques.

 

3D printed rubber band car 7

Aluminum bevel gears transfer rubber band power to the axle. If the tires look familiar, it’s because they’re Pro-Line Ions.

 

3D printed rubber band car 4

This exploded view shows the carbon-fiber tube that runs down the car’s center. The tube withstands the tension of the tightly wound rubber band, so all the chassis has to do is support the weight of the car.

 

Never miss an issue of RC Car Action!

Subscribe today with a Digital Edition subscription or Print + Digital combo!

 

Updated: January 31, 2015 — 4:30 PM
Air Age Media ©