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Andrew Fernie
2018-05-09, 09:51 PM
Decided it was time for a new plane for the summer and I saw some interesting designs from 3DLabPrint (www.3dlabprint.com), including a P-38. 55" wingspan, flaps, retracts, etc. (12 servos in all).

Basic principle is that you purchase the model files and send them one after another to a 3D printer. Once they have been printed you glue them together with CA and add the electronics. Biggest one is a 75" Corsair, and the 67" Spitfire looks really nice.

The structures are very complex - quite amazing to look at.

Printing takes a while. The job I started this evening has the parts for the left wing outboard of the left engine/fuselage and is estimated at 11 hours (will probably be a couple of hours more than that). You can see what I have made so far. My printer is a bit bigger than what they design for so I am now starting to combine pieces (the current job will be in two pieces while the right wing equivalent was four pieces.) I will probably reprint the right wing if the left one works well (time to order more filament).

Don't hold your breath to see it at the field...

Andrew
antoine zabal
2018-05-09, 10:41 PM
Very interesting.

Tell us more please
Tarek Hassoune
2018-05-09, 10:45 PM
Good job Andrew looking very nice. Is this a new printer
Andrew Fernie
2018-05-09, 11:30 PM
Yes, I got it a few weeks ago. It has taken a bit of time to figure it out, but am getting there now.

Andrew
briankizner
2018-05-10, 07:20 AM
Amazing. What is the material? Is it strong, stiff, and not heavy?
Andrew Fernie
2018-05-10, 08:07 AM
The weight of the airframe (before adding the landing gear, motors, servos, etc.) is supposed to be 1160g, and all-up weight with batteries should be around 2kg. Most of the structure is only one layer thick (about 1/2 mm). At 1160g that means the cost of material is about $40.

I am printing with PLA, a kind of plastic. Downside is that it can get soft if out in the sun too much but they say that ABS is too brittle.

See https://3dlabprint.com/shop/lockheed-p-38-lightning/ for more.

I can only imagine how many pieces it will end up in after a crash, so questionable as to whether this approach is really practical, but it is interesting.
Sempai-mj
2018-05-10, 08:36 AM
Very cool, when are you starting to take orders :D
Tarek Hassoune
2018-05-10, 11:35 AM
Which software are you using to print
Andrew Fernie
2018-05-10, 01:22 PM
The models come with already prepared gcode files for Prusa i3 compatible printers, but you can't readily tweak them if they don't work well with your "almost 100% compatible" printer. They also provide files prepared for "simplify3D" which is what I am using. STL files are provided with instructions for Cura.

There are some good instructions on their site, and if you want to see how well your printer will work they post sample parts on thingiverse - https://www.thingiverse.com/stephencz/designs

Andrew
drgilo1973
2018-05-10, 03:40 PM
andrew i have files for cessna if ur interested for that also
Dwight Macdonald
2018-05-10, 09:48 PM
Very interesting Andrew! PLA is poly lactic acid. It is biodegradable ... if you crash, you can just compost it!

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
chobden
2018-05-11, 09:34 AM
I printed parts for the Mustang, Spitfire and Me BF109 Tony ,,,, Wings and fuse assembled. I have some underextrusion issues with certain parts (due to the settings on my printers ...). It is pretty tricky to get them right. No electronics installed. The frames are very light and also VERY fragile ... the complete opposite of my laminated EPP+CF warbirds...
Another work in progress.

Chris

Yes PLA is biodegradable ...and affected by UVs.
Andrew Fernie
2018-05-20, 11:40 AM
All the parts have been made. Hopefully I don't crash at some point and turn it into the same number (or greater) of pieces.

I managed to combine a few pieces for the right fuselage, and will reprint the left the same way. My first attempt at combining wing parts didn't work (I picked the wrong parts), but looking at the full set of parts I can see better ways of doing it. As examples, the two parts between the center and left/right fuselages should be good, as should the first two pieces outboard of the left and right fuselages. Not sure if I will do that or not.

Andrew
Ricardo
2018-05-20, 09:34 PM
It would be great if you had some printable jigs, to assist putting things together in a perfect alignment
Andrew Fernie
2018-05-21, 06:34 AM
Left fuselage parts redone. Saves a couple of glue joints. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180521/55a3ef5ef63e25aa5937ad01a01e961c.jpg

There are alignment pins in most pieces so hopefully I will get everything straight. Watching the assembly guide videos, kicker is absolutely needed for the CA, so I get a little time to make sure everything is straight before I spray it on. I am more concerned with the appearance of the seams at the joints as I can't sand the CA.

Andrew
Sempai-mj
2018-05-21, 07:57 AM
Looking good Andrew!

"I am more concerned with the appearance of the seams at the joints as I can't sand the CA. "

For major seams can you use pin striping tape to mask the appearance of a seam?
Mezri
2018-05-21, 11:23 AM
Very good job, it will be very nice...here an exemple for gluing without gigs, it needs a good handling and a good CA accelerator.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycvr-Y_rrsg

..https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-_Exb4ayJk&feature=share
Andrew Fernie
2018-05-21, 03:15 PM
You can tell he has done it before....

There is a similar set of videos for the P-38. The pdf manual is pretty basic so the videos are key.

I like the folding wings, but there sure are alot of parts in that Corsair.

Andrew
Dwight Macdonald
2018-05-21, 09:40 PM
I'm surprised he doesn't use polyethylene gloves to prevent gluing his hands to the work.

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk
chobden
2018-05-22, 11:25 AM
Some picts
Andrew Fernie
2018-05-22, 09:52 PM
You are way ahead of me. Have you looked at the big Spitfire?
chobden
2018-05-23, 09:02 AM
I havent seen the Big Spitfire. I have plans for the Mig15 and the biplane. I put it all on hold 'cause I'm working on some 'big birds' (balsa and monokote) and glow engines (new for me) like the ones most guys fly at the field.
I'm still having some under and over extrusion issues with my (older) printer ... so the finish is not always perfect. Most parts are glued together with some 'chinese glue' (contact cement) ... It makes the joints more visible than with CA.

You will probably maiden your plane before I get to finish mine. ;)

Chris
Andrew Fernie
2018-09-30, 08:05 PM
It's been a while, but all the major airframe assembly is done. Current stumbling block is that I need CA hinges, and can't seem to find any locally. Ted's can't get them until the end of October as they were coming from Great Planes and there is no current supply. I will probably end up needing supplies mail order at some point to justify an order.

The reason for the different colors is that I ran out of the darker color, which I thought was light grey, and ordered some more. Apparently the first one was not the "light".

Andrew
Xavier
2018-09-30, 11:50 PM
I have used material from the full size sailboat sails in place of CA hinge. You maybe able to get small pieces from a place that make sails. There maybe something similar at https://fabricville.com/fr/store-locator/ or other stores like that.
Andrew Fernie
2018-10-01, 07:59 AM
I have used material from the full size sailboat sails in place of CA hinge. You maybe able to get small pieces from a place that make sails. There maybe something similar at https://fabricville.com/fr/store-locator/ or other stores like that.Good idea, Xavier. Thanks!
Tarek Hassoune
2018-10-03, 11:15 AM
Well done Andrew very nice plane
beto9
2018-10-05, 11:19 AM
It's been a while, but all the major airframe assembly is done. Current stumbling block is that I need CA hinges, and can't seem to find any locally. Ted's can't get them until the end of October as they were coming from Great Planes and there is no current supply. I will probably end up needing supplies mail order at some point to justify an order.

The reason for the different colors is that I ran out of the darker color, which I thought was light grey, and ordered some more. Apparently the first one was not the "light".

Andrew

Andrew, I looked in my supplies and I have plenty of CA hinges. The only rub is how do I get them to you...
Let me know
Sempai-mj
2018-10-05, 05:45 PM
Andrew, I looked in my supplies and I have plenty of CA hinges. The only rub is how do I get them to you...
Let me know

That's means you come to field to visit us!
Andrew Fernie
2018-10-06, 12:51 AM
Andrew, I looked in my supplies and I have plenty of CA hinges. The only rub is how do I get them to you...
Let me knowThat would be great, Alberto. I went up to Modellistes today and they are out, with the same backorder issue. If you do plan on visiting the field, I will arrange to meet you, but otherwise maybe you could put them in an envelope and mail them? Just let me know what I owe you.

Thank you,
Andrew
beto9
2018-10-06, 12:34 PM
That would be great, Alberto. I went up to Modellistes today and they are out, with the same backorder issue. If you do plan on visiting the field, I will arrange to meet you, but otherwise maybe you could put them in an envelope and mail them? Just let me know what I owe you.

Thank you,
Andrew

I'll mail it even if there is a possibility of a postal strike. Send me your address. How many you need?
Andrew Fernie
2018-10-06, 07:39 PM
I'll mail it even if there is a possibility of a postal strike. Send me your address. How many you need?PM sent. Thank you!
Andrew Fernie
2018-10-11, 07:40 PM
PM sent. Thank you!Received an envelope from Albert today with a nice selection of hinges. Time to break out the thin CA.

Thank you Albert!