Indeterminate Design Has Made A 3D-Printed Formula One Gearbox!

Building replica scale models of famous cars is an amazing feat in itself. But what happens when you someone decides to replicate intricate bits of a car? Well, Indeterminate Design has done just that by replicating not just any gearbox, but a working scale 3D-printed sequential gearbox from a modern Formula One race car! 

This 3D-printed gearbox is loosely based on the 7-speed F1 transmission used during the 2009-2013 technical regulations and took two months to build. All of this has been documented in a five-part series on Indeterminate Design’s  Youtube channel. The documentary walks you through the methods they used to assemble the gearbox, the materials used to make it as well as ironing out any weak points from this system.

When it comes to how this makeshift F1 gearbox works, it is operational with the help of an electric motor that spins the input shaft. As is the case with the real thing, the fork selectors are controlled by a paddle-equipped steering wheel. This makeshift wheel also has a display which indicates which gear you’re in.

If you think this is it for the replica F1 gearbox, think again as  Indeterminate Design will be working on more alterations to improve it. Some of these alterations include replacing the weaker parts, using stronger materials to reprint the gears as well refine it more to reduce the excess vibration in order to prevent a failure. 

It's crazy to think that such an intricate part of an F1 car that costs a whopping average of USD 440,000 (Rs 3.34 crore) was recreated in a matter of months with more improvements on the way. It will be intriguing to see what the final product will look like. 

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