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Making a Simple Laser-Cut Chassis for the Pullback Motor

20

2024-01-25 | By Kitronik Maker

License: See Original Project

Courtesy of Kitronik

Guide by Kitronik

One of our newest and most exciting products is the new Pullback Motor, which ‎could form the basis of one of your most nostalgic makes yet. Channel the toy cars ‎you played with as a child and send your designs rocketing across the floor, built ‎on top of this simple chassis!‎

Follow Emma's detailed instructions below and build your own. As usual, our ‎design is available as a download.‎

We have used:‎

  • ‎1 x Pull back Motor, Axle and Wheels Kit
  • ‎1 x Sheet of 2mm Laser Compatible MDF
  • Wood Glue (PVA)
  • Laser Cutter
  • This DXF‎ ‎

How we made it:‎

STEP 1 - THE DXF FILE:‎

file_1

Check out the DXF file! We have labelled a version of the file below to help you ‎understand what each part is. You may wish to make changes to the design at this ‎point, such as weight reduction modifications via shapes cut out of the chassis. ‎Just ensure not to cut away any important areas.‎‎ ‎

STEP 2 - TO THE LASER CUTTER:

cutter_2

Laser Cut the chassis using the file. We cut ours out of 2mm thick laser-‎compatible MDF but you can cut yours from anything of a similar thickness that is ‎also rigid; the only consideration should be whether the material is too thick to ‎allow the wheels to touch the ground without the chassis dragging along the floor ‎also.‎‎ ‎

STEP 3 - GLUE THE CHASSIS PARTS:

glue_3

Glue together the two flat chassis pieces as shown, ensuring the edges are lined ‎up.‎

Now we will be attaching the motor, axles, and wheels to the chassis.‎‎ ‎

STEP 4 - ATTACH THE MOTOR AND BACK AXLE ON FIRST:

attach_4

To do this, glue in the tabs that will secure the motor's front and back, wait for that ‎to dry, and then seat the motor against them as shown.‎‎ ‎

STEP 5 - GLUING THE AXLE TABS:

axle_5

Carefully put glue into the holes around the axle and push the tabs with holes over ‎the top of the axle into the holes. Make sure you don’t glue the axle to the tabs.‎‎ ‎

STEP 6 - FINALISING FRONT AXLE FIXINGS:‎

finalizing_6

Now the remaining tabs will need to get glued in place to hold the front axle. The ‎front axle does not need to be in place as the back one does, so these can just be ‎glued in right away.‎‎

‎STEP 7 - SHORT INTERMISSION:

intermission_7

Wait for it all to dry!‎‎

‎STEP 8 - ON WITH THE WHEELS:

wheels_8

Now the wheels can be pushed on. For the back, gently press the motor into the ‎base and push the axle into the wheel. Then, pushing down firmly on the first wheel, ‎push the axle into the second wheel. This will secure both wheels onto the axle.‎‎ ‎

STEP 9 - FINAL ASSEMBLY:

assembly_9

Finally, the front wheels and axle can be attached. Push one wheel on as shown, ‎then thread the axle through the tabs and push the other on once it is through.‎

done_10

You’re done! Now you can speed along to your heart's content, and you have an ‎excellent base to build a cool-looking car body on top of!‎‎ ‎

Extension Tasks:‎

  • An idea for D&T teachers: Why not have a race after a car body design ‎challenge? This could make a wonderful opportunity to learn about the ‎relationship between how far and fast a car will go, and the materials and ‎body shapes chosen in the design process.‎
  • Chassis Decoration, students can decorate the end result, so they are easy ‎to identify when racing. Pre-cut and built pull back cars decorating could ‎be used as a fun hands-on taster activity.‎

‎©Kitronik Ltd – You may print this page & link to it but must not copy the page or part thereof ‎without Kitronik's prior written consent.

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