I’m experimenting with using my 3d printer to build a mostly 3d printed airframe. This is a test for a wing. Figured some here would like this.
Wow! You are two steps ahead of me! I wanted to do this very thing for a glider that used cling wrap as skin… It’s light enough and available. No need to print the skin, I don’t think.
I did a photo shoot with a master airplane restoration genius - one of the best on planet earth-- maybe THE best – and his weekend project plane sat in between a DC3 and a Messerschmitt he was restoring (among others). It was a simple canvas covered plane of his own design. When I asked why canvas, he said “it’s simple and just works.” Brilliant. Ever since I’ve had a growing passion to make my own plane with the simplest materials available. Why not start with a scale model with the same goals: simplicity and low cost. 3d printing everything doesn’t make sense when the goal is “take to the air quickly and cheaply!”
Are you sharing your designs?
What are your design goals?
Want any testers? Any help?
Do you have experience in designing planes?
Who out there wants to play?!
Brook
This is very intersting what glue are you using?
What are the little feet in the second picture for?
The feet ensure each of the wing’s ribs are at the correct angle with the horizontal plane (floor). It just makes sure everything is lined up right before I glue them to the spar. I clip off the feet with small clippers.
Thick Zap-a-Gap for the plastic. The balsa was glued with hot glue just cause I wanted to produce a quick mock-up. What a mess, I’m going to keep using Zap-A-Gap until I find a better alternative. I’m used to using epoxy for wood planes, but it doesn’t adhere well to PLA.
Are you sharing your designs?
Potentially, I’m probably not going to release anything until I have something in the air though.
What are your design goals?
I want to produce a 1m flying wing design that requires very few raw materials to produce copies. So they can be produced easily in remote locations by anyone.
Want any testers? Any help?
Sure, I’m still in the design phase at the moment though.
Do you have experience in designing planes?
Yes, and engineering experience.
Nice! I’d like to scale up the final design to print on a Go Large (2’ x 1’ x 1’ build area) the bigger, the better! I’m looking for either long flight time or heavy payload. 
I’d like to see that happen. If you’re really keen, email me and we can work something out. I’m weary of releasing anything publicly till I finish, if I finish, because I don’t have much time for documentation.
I understand… Email me at brook@printrbot. Com