Fred Jr. - Xe RC

RC Car

This is my version of a 3D printed RC car.  This design is inspired by the Tarmo5 project by user Engineering Nonsense.  I tried to keep as many parts printed as possible.  Take a look at the BOM below for the complete list of printed and purchased parts.

Approximate Size:

Length: 38cm

Width:   30cm

Height:  12cm

Wiring Instructions:

The RC car has a simple wiring Diagram with only 5 components.  The lipo battery can connect directly to the ESC.  The motor wires can connect to the other side of the ESC (If the motor spins the wrong direction, swap two of these wires).  The ESC has built in BEC that can be used to power the receiver directly.  I plugged the drive motor ESC into channel 3 and the steering servo into channel 1.

The receiver channels can be configured on the transmitter if needed.

BOM:

Below is the list of parts that were needed to complete the RC car.  The list is split between the parts that I bought for the build and the printed parts.  

Printed Parts:

All parts were printed in PLA except for 3: 2x CV Joint Extension, 1x Front Bumper

Part Name:

Amount Needed:

Description:

Assembly:

Front Bumper

1

Bumper to help prevent damage from hitting anything.  Printed in TPU.

Front Axle

Ball Joint

4

Balls for the steering arms.

Servo Holder

1

Main body to hold servo and lay out steering bars.

Wheel Pivot

2

Pivot point for the front wheels to pivot for left/right steering.  Also limits the angle of the front wheels. 

Wheel Connector

2

Locking parts to connect wheel and wheel hub.

Steering Link

1

Connect steering assembly to servo.

Steering Link 2 (Left)

1

Steering link that pivots at connection with the servo holder part.  Connects steering links 1 and 3.

Steering Link 2 (Right)

1

Steering Link 3

2

Links the ball joints on steering link 2 and the wheel hub.

Wheel Hub - Front Left

1

Interface between wheel, steering link 3, and wheel pivot.  Bearings are inserted here (2 each).

Wheel Hub - Front Right

1

Shock Pivot - Front

4

Pivot joints between the center body and front wheel hubs.  The front shocks connect to the bottom pivot on each side.

Central Connection - Front 1

1

2 plates that connect the 4 shock pivots to the central body. 

Central Connection - Front 2

1

Central body that connects to the shock arm and spaces out the two plates from “Central Connection - Front 1”.

Shock Arm - Front

1

Arm that connects to the top of the shocks.

Center Body

1

Main body of the car to hold electronics.

Central Body

Battery Cover

1

Cover to contain battery inside the body.

Central Connection - Rear 1

1

2 plates that connect the 4 shock pivots to the central body. 

Rear Axle

Central Connection - Rear 2

1

Central body that connects to the shock arm and spaces out the two plates from “Central Connection - Rear 1”.

Central Connection - Cover and Motor Holder

1

Part 1 holds the drive motor in place to interface with the axle gear.  Part 2 is a cover to lock in the right side bearing on the rear axle.

Helical Gears

1

Gears between drive motor and rear axle.

Rear Axle Connector

2

CV joint cage that connects the drive axle through the main body.

Rear Axle Gear Connector

1

Connections for large helical gear to rear axle.

CV Joint Extension

2

Extension between the CV joints on the wheels and central body.  Printed in TPU.

CV Joint  & Bearing Cage

4

Part 1 - ball insert for the CV joints.  Part 2 - bearing cage to hold the bearings in the CV joint.

Shock Pivot - Back Left

2

Pivot joints between the wheels and the central body.  Locks the wheels in place with the axle.

Shock Pivot - Back Right

2

Wheel Hub - Rear

2

Interface between wheel and shock pivots.  Bearings are inserted here (2 each).

Rear Wheel Connector

2

CV joint cage that connects to the wheel through the wheel hub.

Purchased Parts:

Total cost of non-printed parts was $281.

Part Name:

Number Required:

Part Description:

Link:

Item Cost:

Drive Motor

1

D3542 Motor.

Link

$23

Drive ESC

1

100A Brushless ESC.

Link

$49

Steering Servo

1

25kg High Torque Servo.

Link

$18

Transmitter/Receiver

1

Flysky FS-I6X transmitter and FS-iA6B receiver.

Link

$55

LiPo Battery

1

3 cell LiPo battery.  (I got a 2 pack but you only need one)

Link

$35

Shocks

4

4 pack of RC shocks (80 mm).

Link

$21

Wheels

4

4 pack of 1/10 RC wheels.

Link

$30

699 Bearings

10

699 Bearings. 

Link

$3.50

M6 Ball Bearings

16

M6 Ball Bearings pack of 100.

Link

$5

M3 Threaded Rod

4

M3 x 300mm steel threaded rod.

Link

$19.20

M3 Screws

See Below

$22.20

M3 Washers

8

Washers for M3 screws.  Bought in a pack.

Link

-

M3 Nuts

66

Hex nuts for M3 screws.  Bought in a pack.

Link

-

Shock Oil

1

Used for tuning the shock absorbers.

Link

-

M3 Screw List:

Screw Size:

Amount Used:

Location:

Link:

M3 x 6

5

4x Battery Case, 1x Servo Horn

Link

M3 x 8

8

4x Motor, 4x ESC, 

M3 x 12

8

4x Shocks (Bottom), 2x Steering Bar, 2x Rear Shock Bar

M3 x 14

5

2x Front Shock Bar, 2x Outer Pivot Balls, 1x Motor Holder (Underside)

M3 x 16

4

4x Shocks (Top)

M3 x 20

4

2x Rear Axle Cover, 2 Inner Pivot Balls

M3 x 30

24

4x Wheel Connection, 16x Shock Pivots, 2 Steering Pivot, 2x Wheel Pivot

Link