PLA Toy Plane – Customizable 3D Printer Model

Author: @
License: CC BY-NC
File formats: scad,stl
Download type: zip
Size:54.7KB

The file 'PLA Toy Plane – Customizable 3D Printer Model' is (scad,stl) file type, size is 54.7KB.

Summary

Well, it's a 3D printed paper plane ;-)

A time ago, I got curious about the possibility to print something like a paper plane...

Therefore I tried to print one with as less material as possible, but still flying just great!
This is what I found working quite fine so far!

It consists of a one layer print regarding main part of its wings, plus a big enough body for good flight properties.

You should be able to fly indoor (till now I didn't managed to break something, even if you could push down things accidentally I guess) as well as outdoor. I was flying outside on windy weather as well. Actually it worked better then expected.

Update 28.05.2020

  • In appreciation of upcoming CREW DEMO-2 from NASA and SpaceX, I added the "X" logo to the plane.
    Have a good and save flight Bob Behnken & Doug Hurley!
  • Use about 40% infill for this print
  • .scad file will have the "X" logo enabled by default for now.
  • Note: You might want to disable "Elephant foot compensation" in slicer settings. In my case it makes tail wing connection working pretty bad.

Update 20.05.2020:

  • Created customizable 3D model with OpenSCAD
  • Provide rounded head front as suggested by thingiverse user SaddamCZ for smoother landings - Thanks for your comment ;-)
    Note: use 30 - 40% infill for this model to keep center of gravity below main wing.
  • Reworked tail wing connection to stay in place more reliable.
  • See yellow pictures for new model.

Notes:

  • Important:
    • Please be very careful when removing the model from the printer plate.
      If symmetry is broken, it will not really fly... The main wings are the critical part here I would say.
    • Take care to use symmetrical infill to keep balance point of the plain at center of the main wings.
  • I would recommend to print the "...Original.stl" model first.
    The other model is kind of a test to get the main wing connection to body more robust. Actually it is still a problem... and flight properties are different with this design.
  • Please see the picture for details about how to connect the tail wing exactly.
  • You can use the small elements at tail wing to trim left/right and up/down steering.
  • Dimension in mm: 180 x 178 x 20
  • Print time was about 45 minutes.

What can be improved:

  • Main week points are the connections from wings to the body. They break over time. It seams some PLAs are more resistant than others. My "red" flyer is doing a pretty good job so far. Many other color broke much faster over time.

Have fun and happy printing!

PlaPlane.scad 11.1KB
PlaPlaneOriginal.stl 21.2KB
PlaPlaneWithFlexibleWingToBodyConnection.stl 33.5KB
PlaPlane_OpenSCADWithRoundedFront.stl 225.4KB
PlaPlane_SpaceXLogoUpdate.scad 14.8KB
PlaPlane_WithSpaceXLogo.stl 265.2KB