Week 3: computer controlled cutting

Part 1: Press fit construction kit

    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.
glider.svg

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.

Part 2: Vinyl cutter.

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:
IMG-Diglett