Balsa Plans to 3D printing

[corsair_pilot]

I have a few balsa plans for different models. Whilst i have a machine I can laser cut, or shape pieces with a cnc router, but i'm keen to 3D print some of these plans. I can see the benefit of creating ways to put planes together for transport, and storage which becomes a unintended benefit when 3D printing parts. Plus with more parts 3D printed, after a crash, replacing the affected parts, rather than a whole model is appealing. So what I really want to know it, does anyone know how to draw/design the 3d models to print from?

 

[D.O.G.]

So what I really want to know it, does anyone know how to draw/design the 3d models to print from?

The only person I know that might be able to help you is Tony. He has a 3-D printer and design for me quad skid pads. I'm still using them from a few years ago.

 

[Tony]

Hey Jonathan! There are a number of ways you can create 3d models. My go to is Fusion 360, which for a hobbyist, is free. However for commercial use, it's quite expensive. I just use that to make basic shapes and combine where needed. If you want a severely cut down version of Fusion 360, the same company owns TinkerCad (Tinkercad) This program for me is harder to use mainly because I like chamfers and fillets, which are super easy to do in 360. In TinkerCad though, you have to actually create the negative part that will cut away or remove the item you want. It's a little harder, but the base principal is much easier. The learning curve is also less.

Those are really the only two that I use. Most everything can be made on a 2d surface, and then extruded to make a 3d part. Then you just export it in a file format your slicer will understand and load it in the slicer to get ready to print.

 

[corsair_pilot]

Hey Jonathan! There are a number of ways you can create 3d models. My go to is Fusion 360, which for a hobbyist, is free. However for commercial use, it's quite expensive. I just use that to make basic shapes and combine where needed. If you want a severely cut down version of Fusion 360, the same company owns TinkerCad (Tinkercad) This program for me is harder to use mainly because I like chamfers and fillets, which are super easy to do in 360. In TinkerCad though, you have to actually create the negative part that will cut away or remove the item you want. It's a little harder, but the base principal is much easier. The learning curve is also less.

Those are really the only two that I use. Most everything can be made on a 2d surface, and then extruded to make a 3d part. Then you just export it in a file format your slicer will understand and load it in the slicer to get ready to print.

Thanks for that Tony, I'm familiar with fusion 360 and have been using it for some more basic drawings that aren't related to RC stuff.
I have been slowly getting my head around it, and using youtube a lot to help there.
I will keep playing, I think i have a few things I need to work out with the drawings i have, and I question if some of my plans are actually incomplete.

 

[Tony]

Reading back into this thread, were you ever able to create the 3d parts you were wanting to make, Jonathan? Are you able to upload a couple pictures of what you have created?

One thing that I forgot to mention is there is a way to take an overhead picture of your item, and lay that image in Fusion then scale it and use it to trace. I'm sure you already found this feature, but just in case someone has not, it's fantastic to help make replacement parts.

 

[corsair_pilot]

Hey Tony,
I did some playing, but wasn't able to get any further than i had.
I could have created the exactly what was on the plan, but i was trying to build parts in single pieces.
I could easily have done the ribs, fuselage parts etc, but wasn't what I was wanting to do.

 

[Tony]

Ah, gotcha!