3D Printing an RC Airplane

[markj]

I found this interesting airplane on Thingverse and decided to give it go.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3421288

It is very time consuming. When finished, it will have a 1300mm / 52" wingspan and be powered by an electric motor.

Each one of the colored wing segments took anywhere from 3-6 hours to print. The 8 aileron segments took 2-3 hours each.

All the parts have ultra thin walls which make up the "skin". The engineering on this thing is pretty cool

 

 

 

 

That control horn next the servo box in the last photo is a parametric design and can be customized to any size, width, length, height, thickness, hole count, radius of corners, etc.

I am live streaming the printer. It is currently on a 16+ hour print of Body segment 6. There are 16 Body parts. Lots of other parts that need to be printed like the canopy, motor mount, stabilizers, rudder, elevators. It will be a while before this one is finished.

https://oe.ink/l/PkVNzHSwCT

If you click that link and view the live stream I get 10 additional entries per view in a drawing for a new Prusa i3 MK3S+ 3D printer. Then I could get this done in half the time! Click it!   

I will be issuing a new stream link approximately once a day until 2/15 here in this thread. Each view of the subsequent streams also gets me 10 more entries to win the printer.

I appreciate your clicks and views!

[Rockysdad]

I clicked the link but couldn't view anything.

[Strings4Him]

I could see it.  It’s quite an interesting process.


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[mike in lytle]

I have a slower satellite connection, so the machine would "move" for me every ten seconds or so.
Mike

[markj]

It's back up.

[markj]

New stream link: https://oe.ink/l/YYxEYKNjaw

[markj]

New part, Body segment 9. new stream. More chances to win! lol

No, seriously, click the link! Even though you might not have great video performance, every view on the new streams, gets me 10 additional entries in the printer giveaway. I certainly appreciate the views!

https://oe.ink/l/Auo5KJhXmo

The airframe so far, dry assembled on the dining room table.



This is not a small RC plane. I still have to print the front engine cowl that extends the length another 180mm or 7" Then the tail section and rudder add some more length.

An additional 5 segments that stretch the entire length of the fuselage and the canopy still need to be printed. They form arched top of the fuselage.

All of this will be held together with carbon fiber rods and adhesive. Adhesive that I have to wear a respirator to use.   

[markj]

New part, new stream.

Click!

https://oe.ink/l/e6JTVG11pX

[Rockysdad]

Well, I can see your arm in what appears to be wiping the surface of the printer table, Good luck on winning !   

[markj]

Well, I can see your arm in what appears to be wiping the surface of the printer table, Good luck on winning !   

Between each part the print bed needs to be wiped with 100% Isopropyl Alcohol to get rid of any oils left behind from the previous print.

This new stream is of a reprint of body segment 12 in PLA silver after failed print in PETG. The PETG was not 100% at fault. This part needs printed supports for the internal bracing. 

The designer recommended that I print in PLA vs. PETG. Most of the plane is already printed in PETG. I have to try this PLA print to see if what he says about the quality of the finished product is true. If it is significantly better, I will be reprinting some parts.

https://oe.ink/l/s1NiZIcM2F

[markj]

Frustrating. The 2nd attempt to print body segment 12 in PLA, failed. Hopefully this one will work. Back to PETG but with some internal supports. |

New Stream!  Click it!

https://oe.ink/l/Qtn0O9AjR6

[markj]

Canopy parts 1 & 2 5.5 hour print job.

Thanks for clicking the link and viewing the video!

https://oe.ink/l/IjYud70pQx

[Strings4Him]

Next project?

https://www.fretboardjournal.com/columns/bench-press-bozo-cardozos-3d-printed-unnamed-mandolin-guitar-hybrid/?goal=0_5586d24b90-dffd1a0dde-418451297&mc_cid=dffd1a0dde&mc_eid=79153d250f


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