Oct. 22, 2014 | By Alec

In recent months, we've seen a lot of 3D printed quadcopters fly past, as both free designs on Instructables that are fun 3D printing projects for anyone, and as purchasable 3D printed quadcopter kits that are easy to assemble and get up into the air. While there's absolutely nothing wrong with quadcopters, what's wrong with good old airplanes?

That must be what Florida-based engineering student Kiril Lange has been thinking, as he recently designed a fully functional, airworthy and 3D printable airplane. This plane is both very cool and easy to create. And by Kiril's own admission, it's also an excellent flyer. As he stated, 'it's a fast flying, maneuverable airplane. However this being the first and only airplane I have ever flown doesn't really make me a good judge.'

Anyone looking for a fun and above all original 3D printing project should definitely check out this cool plane. It has a not inconsiderable 36 inch wingspan, four servos, a 210w motor and weighs in at a modest 26 ounces (or less than a kilogram). It also comes with a comprehensive tutorial that is clear and easy to follow.

Most the parts can easily be printed with any desktop FDM 3D printer. Kiril himself uses a MakerBot Replicator 2 printer. Kiril also recommends us to print the wings in ABS, as this filament easily glues together. He also used rafts on everything. He advises printing most components – especially the wing sections – vertically, as everything is designed to be printed without supports. Just 'Turn the body back and body tail to print vertically. move the cover down on the Z axis until the top is within the print area.'

However, to give the model some airworthy stability, Kiril also necessarily included a few pieces of Basswood, which is easily workable, strong and most importantly: lightweight. This should be easily found in many craft stores, as it is often used in similar projects.
After printing, assembly is a relatively easy process. The basswood parts will need to be trimmed a little, otherwise they won't fit into the wingslots. Just trim 'about 1/16 off the top of the 3/8 tall side. […] Trim the end off the basswood so the entire piece is contained within the wing.'

As for the other, 3D printed parts, just follow Kiril's easy steps. While his tutorial might seem a bit long, most steps are just relatively straightforward but stability and security is essential.



Finally, just add the electronics. Kiril himself used the following, but all are straightforward RC parts, so perhaps you have something similar lying around:

1 - TURNIGY Plush 30amp Speed Controller
1 - D2830-11 1000kv Brushless Motor
1 - ZIPPY Compact 2200mAh 3S 25C Lipo Pack
4 - Turnigy TG9e 9g / 1.5kg / 0.10sec Eco Micro Servo
As well as a battery charger and 4 channel transmitter/receiver

Incorporating these is also a relatively simple process: 'using the transmitter, find the neutral spot for all of the servos and make linkages out of piano wire or paperclips to all of the flight control surfaces.' All that remains is adding a cover, which Kiril did using two rubber bands and a paperclip. Could it be any simpler?

And that's all you need to create yourself a very cool and very fun, fully-functional airplane. Have fun with it! Now if only future designs could include a camera like so many quadcopters do…


Posted in 3D Printers

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michaelc wrote at 10/23/2014 1:20:47 AM:

Probably could cut the weight and printing time in half if you just printed the frame and coated it in monokote (shrinking plastic cover).



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