New Swash plate

The original design of the swash plate had some notable flaws:

Ball Joint Lubrication: The ball joint was not designed to be lubricated, which limited its longevity and performance.
Wear and Adjustment: The ball joint consisted of a steel ball sliding over aluminum surfaces. Over time, this caused wear, requiring frequent adjustments or replacements of "shims," which was a tedious process.
Ball Joint Construction: Building the ball joint from scratch was a challenging process, especially without the proper tools for precise work.
Torsional Connection: The connection to the main rotor shaft was achieved via a key slot in the ball sleeve. This method was difficult to build without introducing some free play, and it was also tricky to secure the screw in place without using solutions like Loctite.
Scissor link for anti-torque is a key feature in modern helicopter designs and included in this redesign.

After identifying these shortcomings, I redesigned the swash plate to improve its functionality.

Key Features of the New Design:

Off-the-Shelf Ball Joint: The new design uses a standard, commercially available ball joint, making construction easier and ensuring better performance over time.
Scissor Link for Anti-Torque: To address the previous issue, a scissor link has been included to provide a much more robust anti-torque solution, which is much stiffer.
Lubrication-Friendly: The outer ring is designed to house rubber seals, allowing for lubrication of the ball joint, significantly improving its durability and reducing wear.
Reduced Freeplay: The overall design has been optimized to reduce free play, ensuring more precise operation and a stiffer anti-torque connection.

Disadvantages:

Machining Complexity: Some of the parts are more challenging to machine, especially if you're aiming for precision. While this may be a fun challenge for hobbyists, it might not be for everyone.
Heavier: The new design is larger and beefier than the previous one. While you can machine away excess material to lighten it, the increased size and strength might add more weight. It’s really a trade-off between time, effort, and design choice.