Need help regarding shaft material

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the suitability of using an acrylic shaft for a trike's accumulator, which will support two cycle ratchets and a sprocket. The primary motivation for selecting acrylic is its lightweight properties. However, participants suggest that a hollow metal drive shaft may be a more effective option, providing similar weight benefits while offering superior strength and durability compared to a solid acrylic shaft.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of materials science, specifically the properties of acrylic and metal.
  • Knowledge of mechanical design principles related to drive shafts.
  • Familiarity with torque requirements in mechanical systems.
  • Basic concepts of weight distribution in vehicle design.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mechanical properties of acrylic versus metal for structural applications.
  • Explore design considerations for hollow versus solid shafts in trike construction.
  • Learn about torque calculations and requirements for drive shafts in vehicles.
  • Investigate lightweight materials suitable for vehicle components beyond acrylic.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for mechanical engineers, hobbyist builders, and anyone involved in designing lightweight vehicles, particularly those interested in optimizing material choices for performance and durability.

CrayonK
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I'm building a trike and wanted to know if an acrylic shaft would suffice? The accumulator shaft would hold two cycle ratchet and a sprocket.
 
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The main reason behind going for acrylic is the weightlessness.
 
CrayonK said:
I'm building a trike and wanted to know if an acrylic shaft would suffice? The accumulator shaft would hold two cycle ratchet and a sprocket.

CrayonK said:
The main reason behind going for acrylic is the weightlessness.

Welcome to the PF.

What's a "trike"? I assume it's a 3-wheeled something, but how big is it? How is it powered? How long is the drive shaft? How much torque does the shaft need to withstand?

Using a hollow metal drive shaft would probably work better than a solid acrylic shaft, and would probably weigh about the same...
 

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