14 DAY TRIAL // RC cars can be great toys and make for a great hobby in one's spare time, especially when they are complex enough to allow for changing of parts and customization. Sometimes things can go too far though.
This is what happened with the latest tires created by Thomas Palm, according to the man himself. He seems to be quite cautious about them.
Thomas Palm has been involved in 3D printing and RC vehicles for a long time now and has developed not only designs for them but materials as well.
His goal was to enable RC hobbyists to not only acquire components for their little vehicles but to also make their own if they possess the means. In this case, the means are a 3D printer and the .STL files for snow tires.
The latest snow tires are deemed too dangerous
Palm's latest snow tires use 3.5 x 13 screws, the sort intended for use in sheet metal. What he did was insert them in each tire from the inside out, thus giving them the best snow traction yet.
It's winter in temperate and cooler parts of the world after all, and it would be a shame if lovers of RC vehicles had to wait for spring and summer again.
There are two lines of spikes on each wheel, allowing them to dig into both ice and snow without sinking overmuch. And yes, they will enhance traction even when turning.
Unfortunately, he will not release the 3D models for the tires or the instructions for how to get the screws to fit in. He has several concerns that he doubts will be alleviated any time soon.
The safety hazards
The tires may not hold up well depending on what filament people use. This, in turn, could cause the screws to dislocate and fly like shrapnel if the tires break down, which could prove disastrous to people's health.
The same issue might arise due to different nozzle sizes and print parameters, not to mention that users might not insert the screws evenly. A loose tire could result from that, which could jump off and hit someone.
Driving on ice and suddenly gripping the surface could cause the whole rim to break as well, leading to, again, flying screws. Perhaps some additional safety measures will be thought up in the future, but for now no dice.
