3D Printing

[i_like_planes_27]

Hey everyone, I didn’t know which channel to post this in so I’m just gonna put it in general. I have a plan to 3D print and build a 757 airliner. I don’t know much about 3D printing and that kind of stuff but we have access to those big fancy ones. I am wondering what you guys recommend which app to use to design my project and then print it out, or is there specific apps for the specific printers?
thanks

[kallend]

Pretty much any CAD program can be used to design parts for 3D printing.

I suggest you start with something more modest than a 757. Maybe a Sidewinder missile or something simple like that, until you get the hang of it.

[testfly]

Hey everyone, I didn’t know which channel to post this in so I’m just gonna put it in general. I have a plan to 3D print and build a 757 airliner. I don’t know much about 3D printing and that kind of stuff but we have access to those big fancy ones. I am wondering what you guys recommend which app to use to design my project and then print it out, or is there specific apps for the specific printers?
thanks

Before I got into 3D printing I created 3D parts for a DIY MD-87 Airliner I cut from foam. I finished all of the main parts but have yet to put it all together to be flown. I used Turbo Cad and a 2'X4' cnc machine and a hot wire to cut the foam parts. https://www.seabreezeparachutes.com/md-87/view.html

Now I do a lot of 3D printing and I use Tinker Cad to design parts for small models. I have created 4in1 board mounts, servo mounts, motor mounts, receiver mounts, battery hatches, sontrol horns, control hinges, spinners and I am about to start working on wheels and tires.

When designing parts for small models you want them to be light and yet strong enough to do the job.

The process is a lot of fun for sure.

As suggested, You might start with something small. But, as you can see by the MD-87 project I didn't, so it can be done either way. :-)

Good Luck

[Grossman56]

As I try to find gear doors for my Freewing Mustangs in amongst the pile of used ones with broken pins, I kept thinking to myself, "There has to be a better design", so I started 'tinkering' around on Tinker Cad (Where else?). These are just doodles as I've not taken exact measurements, but it looks pretty legit to me, see what you think..

The center shaft is a separate unit and a spring would go between the two outer dowels, allowing the pin to slide back into the rearmost dowel. The rearmost dowel would contain the gap into which it would slide and a pin on the back would fit into the hole in the gear bay.

the two outer dowels would fit onto these base pieces, allowing you to glue them straight onto an existing gear door after trimming away the original pin system. With the system in place, you could slide the pin back, fit it into the wing and let it spring into place. Seems to me that it would be a much sturdier system.

Thoughts??

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[Grossman56]

Better break down of the parts

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[kallend]

Try it and see. Worst you can do is waste about $0.10 worth of filament.

You may have to experiment to get the clearances right.

[Elbee]

Grossman56


Danger,

Are those the Main Gear Door struts?

That's my presumption, I do not have a Mustang (yet) so I am quite ignorant here.

Best, LB

[Grossman56]

Yeah, the main gear doors on the Freewing Iron Ass/Old Crow Mustang



As you can see, the pins are pretty weak and a more robust design is needed. This way, you can also reuse old doors with broken pins.
My original thought was to spring load the mechanism, but I could put a notch for the slider to fit in and glue it once its in place.

Grossman56
(Dangerous Dan)

[kallend]

It's not just the Mustang. Several of the FW EDFs have similarly weak door pins (mostly on nosegear) and I have found myself 3D printing replacements several times over the years.

[Grossman56]

The thing was that you had to order the complete set in order to get the one gear door you needed, I have a box full of clam shells and rear gear doors.

[kallend]

Yep!