MAAA Wingspan

24 The ability to design and print an actual three- dimensional object is no longer restricted to science fiction movies, it’s a reality that one Tasmanian aeromodeller is having great success with. Damian Blackwell from the Hobart Model Aero Club became interested in 3D printing his models about 12 months ago, after spending 35 years as an aeromodeller. He started his venture into 3D modelling by initially purchasing an affordable 3D printer and then began to experiment with the technology. “After six months of playing around and printing trinkets, I decided to have a go at printing 3D RC Planes,” Damian explained. He purchased STL files for the aircraft and chose a user-friendly thermoplastic called PLA, which has higher strength and stiffness than other options, as well as low melting temperature and minimal warping. He began experimenting with various slicing software to find the best G-code files for printing and after many hours of testing he began to print. “My first aircraft was an Eclipson Panthera, a small 3S powered 1100mmwingspan low wing T-tail machine, but the test flight was totally uneventful,” he said “The biggest problemwith PLA printed planes is that they can be a little heavy and can be a little bit fragile if you have to hard a landing.” Following this, he decided to try something a little more complex, a 3DLabPrints F86A 1450mmwingspan, 1350mm length, 90mm EDF running on an 8S setup. He explained that this was a lengthy process, taking about 300 hours for printing and a further 10 hours to assemble. 25 Member story: 3D Models Looking into the Future of Aeromodelling However, the time it took to create the 3D model was worth it and the maiden test flight was a huge success. “It was not an overly quick aircraft but preformed very scale like,” Damian said. There is no doubt that there will be an increased number of members joining the 3D printing phenomenon in years to come. “The enjoyable part of the whole process has been learning a new way to construct RC Planes.” “The knock-on effect has been that one of the new Club members has just printed his first RC plane, so we wait in anticipation for its test flight.” Have you started 3D printing your models? If so, send your photos with a caption to editor@maaa.asn.au so we can share them with other MAAA members. “There is no doubt that there will be an increased number of members joining the 3D printing phenomenon in years to come. “The enjoyable part of the whole process has been learning a new way to construct RC Planes.” IN HIS OWN