Exploring the mathematics behind everyone’s favourite unorientable single-sided surface can be quite the mind-bending exercise, so it’s nice that it’s so easy to make a Mobius strip out of paper and a single piece of tape. That demonstration was far from enough for [elmins]. who printed this Mobius strip of gears. The teeth fit together, and all the gears move, but there is still only one side and one edge (we think).
The idea to tackle the project came from seeing an animation of Mobius gears. Wondering if it would be possible to actually create such a thing, [elmins] got to work. The design is printed in 60 pieces, 30 each for the inner and outer parts. The entire assembly is printed in PETG, an unconventional choice but by no means unsuitable. 285 ball bearings help the rings rotate.
The gears use a standard involute bevel profile, though [elmins] suspects this could be an area of further optimisation. The parts were printed in an orientation to ensure the print lines run around the races, allowing for minimal finishing and smooth rolling of the bearings. This is a good study of just what can be achieved with some smart modelling and perseverance.
If you’re thirsty for more madcap machining, consider exploring the concept of the Reuleaux triangle bearing.
unorientable single-sided surface
The department of redundancy department called, they say that they have a job opening for a redundant backup officer official.
If I spin them at 88 RPM can I go back in time?
Right to 1933. 88!
You sure it’s not 3361?
An odd number of ordinary gears (15) in a closed loop and working
Gee, brillant!
Sweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!
duuuuuuuuuuuuude!!!
Ray!
i see a chain, not a Möbius strip
the gears rotate from being flat to vertical..follow the gears around
Looks like it could work for a drilling head.