Printed front axle for Mercedes Unimog 1:16 model truck

September 16, 2013
Description
About two years ago I motorized a Bruder toys Mercedes Unimog in 1:16 scale and equipped it with (Atmel AVR-based) IR remote control. Because the Bruder chassis front axle did not have steering (fixed front axle), I constructed an steering front axle using aluminium profiles (see last photo).
Now, with a reprap printer available I constructed the front axle again in openscad and printed it. It has an adjustable tie rod (vitamin, non printed) and is controlled by a micro servo at the front (see photos). The axle can steer and tilt. The construction principle is just a basic Achsschenkellenkung (German), I believe in English it is called Ackermann- or A-steering.
I reused the vitamins from the old aluminium profile axle, particularly the ball couplings for the tie rod and the servo connector.
Update 2013-09-20: The servo connector arm broke after a few days of operation. I have made the connector thicker and removed the inner connector bar and replaced it with a hull from the servo attachment point to the axle arm, thereby hopefully eliminating any notch stress. (see updated scad and stl files)