I've got a thread for the printed design3D Printing section of RC Groups. However, I don't want to muck it up with what I'd like to attempt with this first prototype. I've learned all I can from it, and rather than trash it, I'd like to try and make it nice. It's got a few dings, but doesn't need to be scrapped. Also, I'm no fiberglass expert, and I know we have quite a few very good ones over here. I'm also starting a thread identical to this one, in the Scale Scratchbuild section of RC Groups for those interested.
3D Printed foam (LW-PLA from Colorfabb) has finally allowed for a printed design to be able to bear the weight of a fiberglass skin. I'm hoping to gain durability, and a really nice surface to paint the plane up nice. In the attached images below, the white plane is the real one, and the rest are renders of what I'd like my plane to look like with paint.
I've gotten a few flights out the plane, but thanks to some technical issues with a locked up retract, I've pulled the landing gear out of it. I will seal up the gear doors, and just have this thing as a belly lander. That gives me even more weight wiggle room. The wingspan is 54" with 520.7 square inches of wing area. I think without the retracts, my cubic wing loading is around an 8. Not much will change on the base airfram before I start trying to cover it, but I may increase the area of the upper vertical stabilizer a bit, as well as install outer wings with wider ailerons (elevons in this case).
So, I've got a bunch of 1.4 oz fiberglass cloth, enough to cover several planes. I've used it once before on a foamboard XF5U with polycrylic as a medium. This time around I've got some Fibreglast System 2000 epoxy with 60 minute pot life hardener. I've also got some micro balloons if need any filler. There are a couple damaged spots on the underside that will need reinforcement and filler. This prototype was only meant for geared takeoffs, and the spots where it's easiest to grip underneath will need some beefing up.
This foam stuff hides layer lines pretty well, but they are still there, more in some spots than others. It's sands nicely enough though, so I will get to work on that. I'm wondering if I should try and do a filler coat before adding the actual glass and epoxy.
Anyone know if I could get away with WBPU and talc, or the microballoons as a base? Or will I have adhesion problems later when it comes time for glass and epoxy? WBPU is just so nice to work with.
3D Printed foam (LW-PLA from Colorfabb) has finally allowed for a printed design to be able to bear the weight of a fiberglass skin. I'm hoping to gain durability, and a really nice surface to paint the plane up nice. In the attached images below, the white plane is the real one, and the rest are renders of what I'd like my plane to look like with paint.
I've gotten a few flights out the plane, but thanks to some technical issues with a locked up retract, I've pulled the landing gear out of it. I will seal up the gear doors, and just have this thing as a belly lander. That gives me even more weight wiggle room. The wingspan is 54" with 520.7 square inches of wing area. I think without the retracts, my cubic wing loading is around an 8. Not much will change on the base airfram before I start trying to cover it, but I may increase the area of the upper vertical stabilizer a bit, as well as install outer wings with wider ailerons (elevons in this case).
So, I've got a bunch of 1.4 oz fiberglass cloth, enough to cover several planes. I've used it once before on a foamboard XF5U with polycrylic as a medium. This time around I've got some Fibreglast System 2000 epoxy with 60 minute pot life hardener. I've also got some micro balloons if need any filler. There are a couple damaged spots on the underside that will need reinforcement and filler. This prototype was only meant for geared takeoffs, and the spots where it's easiest to grip underneath will need some beefing up.
This foam stuff hides layer lines pretty well, but they are still there, more in some spots than others. It's sands nicely enough though, so I will get to work on that. I'm wondering if I should try and do a filler coat before adding the actual glass and epoxy.
Anyone know if I could get away with WBPU and talc, or the microballoons as a base? Or will I have adhesion problems later when it comes time for glass and epoxy? WBPU is just so nice to work with.