This week, we
learned how to use 2D design software to operate a laser cutter.
I made a press fit construction kit glider .svg file that is
ready to be cut.
As you can see, it is quite large, it just fits under the
maximum allowed size. The idea is that the aerofoils will slide
into slots on the main wing. I'll cut and fold paper over the
aerofoils so that the paper creates a proper wing. I designed
the wing shape to maximize the Bernoulli effect. Basically, air
moving faster over the wing has lower pressure, and slower
moving air under the wing has higher pressure. The glider will
achieve more lift with a higher angle of attack, but it's wing
shape should also help provide some lift even with an angle of
attack of 0 degrees. The tailplane doesn't have aerofoils on it.
Instead, paper will be glued to the underside. Hopefully it will
shift the center of lift backwards without shifting the center
of mass too far back. There is a large hole at the tail of the
plane, it's purpose it to shift the center of mass forward.
paper will be glued over this hole.
If you'd like, you can download and
use the file. Simply right click and save the image as a .svg
file. It will need to be converted to a .pdf file in order to
print with Corel Draw.
assembly pictures and instructions
pending.
After going through 2 prototypes
that failed in various ways, this is the final version. It
glides pretty stable. Small dowels can be added through the main
body for structural stability.
We also learned how to use inkscape
with a vinyl cutter to make stickers. I made a Diglett sticker
(from Pokemon). Here is the picture for it: