Check out my latest progress. This is just a mock up to test fit the ‘fuselage’ parts and check tolerances. I’m designing it like I would design a balsa/ply airplane model. The skin will be made of a combination of thin balsa and later I’ll add shrink wrap (your traditional “Monokote”). I’m currently using Thick CA and kicker to glue the PLA parts together. It works, but there must be something better. I’d normally use epoxy for wood models, but it doesn’t bond that well with PLA.
Here comes some big news! My last post garnered the attention of Brook Drumm of Printrbot. We exchanged a few emails talking about what the design goals of this 3D printed flying wing project were. It was obvious to him that my small build volume was limiting what I could do with this idea. So, he offered to sponsor the project by providing me with a Printrbot Go V2 Large (http://printrbot.com/shop/printrbot-go-v2/) and filament! I cannot even begin to explain my excitement. Imagine the possibilities with this monstrous 2’x1’x1’ build volume. Check out how big the printer is in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfUf2BcOvCU
Thank you Printrbot! If this project is successful, I’ve got ideas for other designs. Maybe a ducted fan design to make use of the Ducted Fan Design Library.
This means that I’m going to see this project through to a complete and working V1 state. It’s going to be free/open, released under CC BY-SA which will liberate it to the community (that’s us). I’m not quite ready to release my design files yet, but I will be very soon. I need to clean them up and organise them first.
I’m also hoping that OpenRC will adopt my design into it’s fold. I think the melding of traditional balsa/ply built-up model building techniques with 3D printing is pretty novel, even if it’s obvious, as I haven’t seen any other examples via my google searches. Anyway, I hope you guys are excited to see the progress over the coming few months.
Nice, very nice. Having a printable plane in addition to the truggy will be great :-). But please, think of us stuck with ‘normal’-sized printers and complete the smaller design before moving on to the big league
I am stoked to be involved! I have been clear, smaller printers will be supported, but Go owners will benefit from larger models and less joinery. Let’s make this project fly!!
If your struggling to glue the PLA why not use ABS? That way it can be easily bonded with acetone/ABS juice, plus will have a degree of flex compared to PLA
My design will be for the Go Large. But don’t worry, parts that are too large for your printer can be split just like I’m doing now with my current printer. I can demonstrate how to do that.
Because I’m taking on a large work load, I need to keep features to a minimum for my branch. Imagine that I’d have to design and prototype both the regular design and the split-parts modifications… My first goal is to show the viability of this approach and encourage others. And at the same time I’ll get to show off the usefulness of a large build surface for model aeronautics.
Perhaps someone in the community will take up the torch and produce STLs that are printable by their printer. This is the benefit of a creative commons. We can remix and mod the design.
I am building even larger printers to break into new applications. I have some automotive need I want to try, do the answer is yes. I’m announcing a new Cnc next week for sale this fall and a foam cutter and plasma cutter will follow. 3d printing isn’t right for every application, so we are committing to more “tools for makers”!
@Andre_Roy What filament plastics are you printing with?
There’s alot of tough filaments out there that could be of your interest. Except from nylon with very good streght, but hard to print. You could test Taulman T-Glase (PETT) for example, or Polycarbonate. I am experimenting with T-glase my self atm, will update in the tread as it progresses.
That is awesome. Something I’ve thought about but have not put time in on yet. Main question is the weight comparison to a traditional balsa / ply build. I would think it could be lighter using trusses in the ribs like you have done; making for better performance all around. Can’t wait to see the final build and flight.
