Harmonic Drive (Strain Wave Gear) - 3D Printable

Northwestern ME495: Intro to AM 2026

This is a 3D-printed strain wave gear (harmonic drive) designed as a compliant mechanism. The rigid outer circular spline and the wave generator core are printed in PLA-CF for high dimensional stability and structural stiffness. The flexible component, the flexspline, is printed in Polypropylene (PP) to leverage its exceptional fatigue life and flexibility, allowing it to undergo continuous elastic deformation without failure.