3-d printing and composites help?
Its doable and the process would be something similar to this.
Have someone who is well versed with CAD make the 3D part. Then have them convert that 3D part into a 3D printing file format like .stl
Upload the part file to a 3D printing company website that can build it according to your dimensions.
I have used Shapeways and Sculpteo in the past but I think your overall part dimensions might not work. They will give you a selection of materials to choose from. Certain materials are way more expensive to 3D print than others.
Its possible to print the part in alumide and then use that for testing. Also after the part is printed you can make a mold of it and then make it out of a different material.
Have someone who is well versed with CAD make the 3D part. Then have them convert that 3D part into a 3D printing file format like .stl
Upload the part file to a 3D printing company website that can build it according to your dimensions.
I have used Shapeways and Sculpteo in the past but I think your overall part dimensions might not work. They will give you a selection of materials to choose from. Certain materials are way more expensive to 3D print than others.
Its possible to print the part in alumide and then use that for testing. Also after the part is printed you can make a mold of it and then make it out of a different material.
Thanks that's what I was looking for. Yes it will be a Cad design and will be a .stl file. What I'm trying to figure out is if anyone has experience with pricing of aluminum 3-d printing and has an idea of cost. For a little wing like I described would it be closer to $500 or $5000? The design is not yet finished but I'm trying to plan ahead how to build it for a price I can afford.
Could actually just do that with my standard 3axis but never tried doing homemade molds. I design plastic parts a lot for work, maybe I'll add that to my project list of things to learn.
Thanks that's what I was looking for. Yes it will be a Cad design and will be a .stl file. What I'm trying to figure out is if anyone has experience with pricing of aluminum 3-d printing and has an idea of cost. For a little wing like I described would it be closer to $500 or $5000? The design is not yet finished but I'm trying to plan ahead how to build it for a price I can afford.
You can buy a 3D printer for plastics that sits on a desk for like $1000. Materials can be bought for around $5 a cubic inch.
To "print" metal, it's done with high power lasers in a low pressure inert environment. Those machines are MILLIONS of dollars.
FWIW, English Racing did the oil pump gear with the "printed" metal and a 2" gear is selling for $350.
What if I told you that you could make so much front downforce without canards that it would be difficult to find a wing to balance it?
We'll see if anything like this shows up at WTAC in a couple months.
