Lancaster updates + Fusion 360 advice + firewalls

[Morgan G]

I'm making this Lancaster for FF25 but having trouble with exporting curved surfaces into 2d CAD, do any of you know a method to do this? I don't know if its relevant but this was designed in metric units (millimetres). Also I need to custom design firewalls for power pack C, is there anywhere I can get measurements for the mounting bracket that it screws onto? I tried emailing FT and they said ask here.
I don't know what its actually called but its the metal plus shape with holes in it, you screw the motor onto the metal plus and then screw that into the firewall, does anyone have measurements for the metal plus? Also pls feel free to tell me the real name of the metal plus, saying that sounds really dumb.

 

[Mr Man]

Very cool project, btw, it’s called a X-mount. Look on thingiverse, there are multiple designs on there.

 

[AIRFORGE]

I'm making this Lancaster for FF25 but having trouble with exporting curved surfaces into 2d CAD, do any of you know a method to do this? I don't know if its relevant but this was designed in metric units (millimetres). Also I need to custom design firewalls for power pack C, is there anywhere I can get measurements for the mounting bracket that it screws onto? I tried emailing FT and they said ask here.
I don't know what its actually called but its the metal plus shape with holes in it, you screw the motor onto the metal plus and then screw that into the firewall, does anyone have measurements for the metal plus? Also pls feel free to tell me the real name of the metal plus, saying that sounds really dumb.

Watching for updates, brother!

 

[Tench745]

I'm making this Lancaster for FF25 but having trouble with exporting curved surfaces into 2d CAD, do any of you know a method to do this? I don't know if its relevant but this was designed in metric units (millimetres). Also I need to custom design firewalls for power pack C, is there anywhere I can get measurements for the mounting bracket that it screws onto? I tried emailing FT and they said ask here.
I don't know what its actually called but its the metal plus shape with holes in it, you screw the motor onto the metal plus and then screw that into the firewall, does anyone have measurements for the metal plus? Also pls feel free to tell me the real name of the metal plus, saying that sounds really dumb.

I know its a fun challenge to build everything in CAD and then transfer it to the real world, and I support it. I submit and alternative you might also consider: print a solid firewall, maybe with some reference marks to center the motor, and then just drill holes to match whatever motor mounts you have at the time. That way you're not locked into to one specific size or brand of motor in the future. Just a thought. Can't wait to see this one coming together!

 

[Morgan G]

I know its a fun challenge to build everything in CAD and then transfer it to the real world, and I support it. I submit and alternative you might also consider: print a solid firewall, maybe with some reference marks to center the motor, and then just drill holes to match whatever motor mounts you have at the time. That way you're not locked into to one specific size or brand of motor in the future. Just a thought. Can't wait to see this one coming together!

Ye I was thinking about that but its being designed to build at Flite Fest and all the electronics will be acquired there so i'm 100% sure what electronics i'm getting, defo gonna 3d print the motor mount though. Also thank you for the kind words!

 

[FlyerInStyle]

I'm making this Lancaster for FF25 but having trouble with exporting curved surfaces into 2d CAD, do any of you know a method to do this? I don't know if its relevant but this was designed in metric units (millimetres). Also I need to custom design firewalls for power pack C, is there anywhere I can get measurements for the mounting bracket that it screws onto? I tried emailing FT and they said ask here.
I don't know what its actually called but its the metal plus shape with holes in it, you screw the motor onto the metal plus and then screw that into the firewall, does anyone have measurements for the metal plus? Also pls feel free to tell me the real name of the metal plus, saying that sounds really dumb.

What I do with my planes is I literally measure out the edgeof each side and the angle and draw it out in autocad, but I dont generlly use curved surfaces. I guess if it is a nice and even radius jsut figure out how long the circumference is and draw a line out that long, and go from there, its tedious but that is my way. Also please add a bouncing bomb to it!

 

[Morgan G]

What I do with my planes is I literally measure out the edgeof each side and the angle and draw it out in autocad, but I dont generlly use curved surfaces. I guess if it is a nice and even radius jsut figure out how long the circumference is and draw a line out that long, and go from there, its tedious but that is my way. Also please add a bouncing bomb to it!

ye that's what I have been doing so far to be honest, I don't know how well it works so i thought i'd ask on here to see if anyone has a better way.

 

[Morgan G]

Watching for updates, brother!

View attachment 247008

Awesome, I assume the holes are all the same space apart?

 

[Morgan G]

Thank you for the advice all and the great diagram Airforge, this is the finished product for now (might see if i can add decals in fusion later for fun). She's got a wingspan (straight line, not the actual length of all wing sections) of 2.34 metres (7.67 feet), and a length of 1.42 metres (4.66 feet).
Predicting a weight of about 3 kilos, with two C pack motors that should give me a little over 1:1 thrust to weight running left two motors on 3000mah 4s and right side motors on a separate battery (same voltage/amps).
I will be 3d printing the motor mounts (thanks Tench) and the rest is foamboard.
I reckon I can get away with 9 gram servos, one per aileron, two on the elevators, one on the rudders (i've done it before it is possible), then removable hatch using some velcro.

 

[Morgan G]

If any of y'all find a way to export curved surfaces into 2d from Fusion pls do tell me because that would be super helpful

 

[Mr Man]

This might help.

 

[AIRFORGE]

Awesome, I assume the holes are all the same space apart?

Only the outer holes. The holes for the motor are 16 mm/19 mm.

 

[Morgan G]

Thanks everyone for your help, I have just finished translating this whole project into 2d CAD in techsoft v3, it is a bit over 9 sheets of 5mm foamboard but each sheet is only 505mm x 700mm rather than the usual size because I need these to fit into a suitcase. Ultimately for the curved surfaces I used meshmixer for the unusual surfaces and then for the straight curves I just measured lengths and added indents for bends. I am also going to 3d print the motor mounts and some other parts which I don't think I could model in 2D CAD with foamboard. The photos here are for the final product in 2d and 3d CAD, and the 3d printed parts used.

 

[Mr Man]

Thanks everyone for your help, I have just finished translating this whole project into 2d CAD in techsoft v3, it is a bit over 9 sheets of 5mm foamboard but each sheet is only 505mm x 700mm rather than the usual size because I need these to fit into a suitcase. Ultimately for the curved surfaces I used meshmixer for the unusual surfaces and then for the straight curves I just measured lengths and added indents for bends. I am also going to 3d print the motor mounts and some other parts which I don't think I could model in 2D CAD with foamboard. The photos here are for the final product in 2d and 3d CAD, and the 3d printed parts used.

Good job!

 

[Tench745]

Looks awesome! Are you going to do a dry fit with the parts before packing everything in a suitcase, or are you pretty confident it's all gonna work?

 

[Mr Man]

Looks awesome! Are you going to do a dry fit with the parts before packing everything in a suitcase, or are you pretty confident it's all gonna work?

Thanks everyone for your help, I have just finished translating this whole project into 2d CAD in techsoft v3, it is a bit over 9 sheets of 5mm foamboard but each sheet is only 505mm x 700mm rather than the usual size because I need these to fit into a suitcase. Ultimately for the curved surfaces I used meshmixer for the unusual surfaces and then for the straight curves I just measured lengths and added indents for bends. I am also going to 3d print the motor mounts and some other parts which I don't think I could model in 2D CAD with foamboard. The photos here are for the final product in 2d and 3d CAD, and the 3d printed parts used.

I would advise to build two.

 

[Morgan G]

Looks awesome! Are you going to do a dry fit with the parts before packing everything in a suitcase, or are you pretty confident it's all gonna work?

The current plan is to put the sheets into the suitcase and then unpack and build it at flite fest, otherwise it would be a massive pain to transport.

 

[Morgan G]

I would advise to build two.

I’d love to but I’m not sure I have space

 

[Mr Man]

I’d love to but I’m not sure I have space

I meant do a test build without electronics at home, then take the sheets to Flite fest.

 

[Tench745]

I've drawn up a couple planes (all in 2D) and every single time I found something I had gotten wrong when it came time to assemble. Might be worth cutting the pieces out and folding and taping them together to make sure it will go together like you want. Then untape, lay flat, and pack them in the suitcase.
Just my 2 cents. Sometimes half the fun of a project like this is the thrill of finding out on the day how well you did, so do what makes sense for you.