March 7, 2026
Description
This is a hobby engineering project of a 3D-printed dual-disc cycloidal drive with a 13:1 reduction ratio.
All custom mechanical parts were designed from scratch and optimized for 3D printing.
• Assembly instructions
• Calculations and datasheets
• YouTube build and test video
A pulley and weight system was used for load testing.
Test setup:
• Pulley radius: 35 mm
• Lifted load: 10 kg
• Measured output torque: 3.43 Nm
• This value represents the safe operating torque
• Higher torque may be possible but was not tested
Drive input:
• Motor: NEMA 17 stepper motor
• Supply voltage: 12 V
• Driver current: 1.6 A
• Microstepping: Full step (1/1)
Speed:
• Theoretical motor speed: 120 RPM
• Actual motor speed under load: 86.7 RPM
• Output speed: 6.67 RPM
Reduction ratio: 13:1
Nozzle diameter: 0.4 mm
Materials:
• Outer housing (3 parts): PETG
Layer height: 0.18 mm (initial 0.20 mm)
Material: PETG
Infill: 50% Gyroid
Walls (perimeters): 4
Infill/Wall overlap: 35%
Top layers: 5
Bottom layers: 3
• All other printed parts: PLA
Material: PLA
Infill: 60% Gyroid
Walls (perimeters): 5
Infill/Wall overlap: 35%
Top layers: 5
Bottom layers: 5
Download the documentation from the Files section:
• Assembly Instructions - (BOM)
• Technical Report – Calculations and Test Results
License:
Creative Commons — Attribution