RASSOR Bucket Drum Design Challenge Submission

grabcad

I'm sharing a working prototype that's far from complete, designed with 3D printed and wooden parts in mind, resulting in some unnecessarily heavy components. To make it easier to swap out parts and test different variations, I've added over 50 screws and nuts. What sets this design apart is its use of organic shapes, which not only add strength but also help reduce weight. Since the main forces are focused on just a few key parts (mainly the "Rails"), the other components can be made very thin and light, especially the inner structure. My estimated fill ratio comes in at around 60%, but I've struggled to achieve this number with my model because as it gets fuller, the pressure on its rather large gaps increases, causing sand to escape faster than the drum can take in new material. The benefits of this design include: a bucket without intersections inside, an estimated capacity higher than the current design, better grip on surfaces when used as a wheel, and once regolith is captured, it stays inside while the bucket isn't turning in the opposite direction. However, there are some drawbacks to consider: the estimated weight is higher, and the design is more complex, which can make it impractical since repairing could be more difficult. For my model, I've scaled down all components to 50%, so most parts have a wall thickness of one millimeter instead of two.