Updated the CGI model of the Zero with a thinner wheel much more scaled to the real one, here you can see the new location of the motor and the drive gear that will turn the planetary gear teeth located all the around the inner circumference of the wheel. The right gearbox will be used to house the transmission system (We've decided to go with a gear system versus the earlier drive belt design), whereas the left one will be used to contain any electronics and circuits that will not fit outside the housings.



Side view of the wheel, here you can see the mounting platform for the rider's seat. More to come...

The Loop

The popsicle sticks have been dried and after a week of being clamped in place, the wood grain successfully maintained its curvature. Pics show how the two layers of sticks form the wheel's inner/outer rims and in addition, hot glue sticks were glue to the outer rim to make the "tire". Next step: Sanding of the inner rim to obtain a smooth, horizontal surface for the gear belt to rest on and epoxying the whole wooden surface.

Starting the Build...

New progress,

Today, the jig for the inner and outer rims were made.















The rims will be made from wooden sticks that were submerged in water for about a week. The softness made them easier to bend. To hold them in place, I used wire fasteners looped inside holes that were made in cardboard.