Lightweight lattice structures shape 3D printed airless wheels
Print&Live and iSCALE3D have developed Arkan, a set of 3D printed airless wheels for unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) used for casualty evacuation, ammunition transport, and logistical support. Designed for off-road conditions, the wheels use a lightweight lattice structure, rounded tread, enclosed sidewalls, and a two-piece rim to maintain mobility after damage and simplify field maintenance.
The wheels are made from load-bearing elastomers and polymer composites. Their airless construction eliminates the need for inflation, while the enclosed sidewalls and rounded tread help prevent mud, stones, and ice from accumulating. According to the developers, the design can increase vehicle range by up to 30 percent compared with existing airless alternatives by reducing rolling resistance and battery consumption. A set weighs 32–56 kg, compared with 88–144 kg for the Western airless alternatives cited by the developers.
The two-piece rim allows tires to be installed or replaced in the field using basic tools, without specialized equipment. Wheel stiffness, damping, and geometry can also be digitally adapted to different vehicle weights and mission requirements. A set costs approximately €680, compared with US$3,000–4,000 or more for the overseas alternatives cited by the developers.
Airless wheels are designed for off-road military operations
Arkan has undergone field and combat trials with Ukrainian Defence Forces units. A TARGAN 3K 244 EVO 1 vehicle covered 210 km on a test range and 151 km across 11 winter combat missions, carrying 1,825 kg of cargo and successfully evacuating a wounded person. Despite tread wear, the wheels retained their functionality. In trials with the Rys Pro UGV, the wheels also maintained their load-bearing capacity without delamination or structural cracks while operating on boggy and frozen terrain under heavy loads and towing another vehicle.
The wheels have completed the research and development phase and are being produced in small batches for combat units. Print&Live and iSCALE3D are expanding their printing capacity to meet demand from UGV manufacturers and military units. The project brings together additive manufacturing, mechanical engineering, polymer science, and robotics to address the mobility and maintenance requirements of ground vehicles operating in difficult terrain.
project info:
name: Arkan
designer: Print&Live and iSCALE3D
lead designer: Vasyl Honar
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edited by: Christina Vergopoulou | designboom
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