Appliance Wheel Generator

Appliance Wheels - Custom Replacement Rollers

A customizable OpenSCAD model for creating replacement wheels/rollers for fridges and other appliances.

Overview

This model allows you to create custom wheels with separate front and back roller configurations. The design includes advanced features like rounded edges with integrated chamfers for support-free printing and slotted layers for enhanced strength.

Key Features

Dual Wheel Configuration

• Front Wheels: Customizable outer/inner diameter, length, and extensions
• Back Wheels: Independent sizing and configuration from front wheels
• Flexible Layout: Generates 2 front wheels and 2 back wheels in optimal printing arrangement

Advanced Printing Features

• Rounded Edges: Optional filleting with integrated chamfer design
• Support-Free Printing: Chamfers eliminate the need for support material on rounded edges
• Slotted Layers: Internal slotted geometry forces slicers to create solid infill layers above and below slots

Customization Options

• Outer and inner diameters (independent for front/back)
• Wheel length/thickness
• Inner bore diameter for axle fitment
• Extension cylinders for specific mounting requirements
• Adjustable fillet radius with support reduction

Slotted Layers Feature

The slotted layers feature creates internal voids that force the slicer to generate solid horizontal layers above and below each slot. This results in:

• Enhanced Strength: Solid layers provide structural reinforcement
• Material Efficiency: Reduces material usage while maintaining strength
• Improved Layer Adhesion: Forces solid layers at regular intervals

Configure slotted layers using:

• front_slotted_layers / back_slotted_layers: Number of slotted layers (0 to disable)
• front_slotted_wall_thickness / back_slotted_wall_thickness: Minimum wall thickness (recommended 1.5mm)

Usage Instructions

Basic Configuration

1. Measure your existing fridge wheels or axle requirements
2. Set the front_inner_diameter and back_inner_diameter to match your axle
3. Adjust front_outer_diameter and back_outer_diameter for desired wheel size
4. Set appropriate front_length and back_length for wheel thickness

Advanced Features

• Rounded Edges: Set front_fillet_radius > 0 and enable front_fillet_support_reduction
• Extensions: Use front_extention_diameter and front_extrusion_length for mounting requirements
• Strength Enhancement: Add 2-3 slotted layers with 1.5mm wall thickness

Debug Mode

Enable cut_enabled = true to see cross-sections during design phase. Adjust cut_position to view different areas of the model.

Printing Recommendations

Filament Selection

Use strong, durable filaments for best results:

• PETG - Excellent chemical resistance and durability
• ABS - High temperature resistance and toughness
• ASA - UV resistant, great for appliances
• Nylon - Maximum strength and wear resistance
• PC (Polycarbonate) - Industrial strength applications

Print Settings

• Walls: Minimum 4 walls (5-6 walls recommended for heavy duty use)
• Infill: 40-60% infill density
• Layer Height: 0.2mm for good surface finish
• Supports: Not required when using rounded edges with support reduction

Troubleshooting

Wheels too loose/tight: Adjust the inner_diameter parameters in 0.1mm increments Poor surface finish: Increase $fn value (default 64) or reduce layer height Weak wheels: Increase wall count, add slotted layers, or use stronger filament Printing failures: Enable support reduction for rounded edges, check bed adhesion

This model is part of the OpenSCAD Projects collection. For more parametric designs and documentation, visit the project repository.

Project Information

• License: CC BY-SA 4.0
• Author: Chris Heazlewood 2025
• Documentation: https://docs.ostat.com/docs/openscad
• Repository: https://github.com/ostat/OpenSCAD-Projects