Fall 2024
Glider
The task:
Design the best glider
We were given a fixed timeline to create the best possible glider. At the end of the semester, every glider was tested to determine the furthest glider and best glide ratio.
Project Elements
Basic Research
This was the first time I would work with aerodynamics, so research was in order. The NACA 1412 airfoil was suitable for long thin wings.
Design Iteration
One of the biggest efforts put into this project was iterating for weight reduction, notably, the tail. The biggest innovation came when I saw a hobbyist online make a wing with clear tape wrapping around ribs and stringers, making a lightweight but high performance profile. I took inspiration and used packing tape on the tail of my glider and used thin carbon fibre tubing to strengthen the slender wings
Materials and 3D printing
PLA Aero (white) creates stringing wherever the hotend travels. It requires more post-processing.
Almost every part of the glider was to be 3D printed. Although quick and convenient. 3d printing isn’t suited for making small scale gliders. The popular materials are heavy and weak, and the layer lines from printing are easy to shear or pull apart.
To minimize these effects, I purchased a PLA Aero filament. When heated, it expands to the consistency and density of Styrofoam. The same part could be made with just 40% of the weight.
Testing
The biggest advantage of having multiple components attach to the same carbon fibre body was that I could test and upgrade each part individually. It also meant I could fix or replace parts quicker
Final results
Among every glider competing, mine was one of the lightest, weighing in at 101g. Thanks the carbon fibre fuselage and thoughtful printing orientation my glider was able to sustain hard landings repeated testing.