wing scratch build software

[atjurhs]

Ok guys,

I think I've now settled on the wing planform and airfoil for an 11foot RES that I am planning to build.

Now I'd like to find a piece of software that will scale each rib (it's not a constant chord planform) that I will need to have cut in order to fit my planform. I already have the first rib drawn, and doing this by hand with my CAD program would take forever.

What piece of software do you guys suggest?

[raceredg]

Compufoil is the best!!!
I've designed and built 5 sailplanes up to 14' with it.
Check it out at compufoil.com
Edg :-{
Pittsburgh

[schrederman]

Definitely use Compufoil...

Jack

[Tony D.]

Profili Pro will also do a good job of that and you can use it to lay out the panels, export to DXF etc.

What section did you decide on?


T.D.

[nuevo]

I own Profili Pro and Compufoil. Either will do but Profili is 1/10th the price. I have have only figured out how to do one panel at a time with Profili. Compufoil is much easier to layout an entire multi-panel wing. Both programs can directly import airfoil .dat files. Compufoil is $$$$. Profili is €10.00.

I think you can do airfoil plots from the Profili free version, but am not sure since I have already licensed mine.

If you're going to feed the foils into a CNC software of some sort, then that software will likely consume the .dat files directly.

I played with XFLR5 a little and came up with these in 5 minutes. They look nice, but won't get you airfoil plots. ;)

[Tony D.]

The software that we use to control our CNC foam cutter will only accept .dxf files, could be that there is S.W. out there that uses .dat but I could not find any when I was looking for the control soft. I have Profili and Compufoil both as well and I've come to rely on Profili much more then CF.

atjurhs, the question of how you will cut the ribs is a good one. Are you planning to have them CNC laser cut? If so I'm pretty sure you will need .dxf files.


T.D.

[atjurhs]

Nuevo, your drawings look surprisingly :rolleyes: VERY much like the wing I am planning to build ;)

I'm planning to use 5 different airfoils AG34-AG38 with 4 panels per wing half and 3 polyhedral breaks per wing half. I'll should probably publish my final chord and span measurements, but that's still being worked through in my other active thread:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=711850

Tony, I do plan to have the ribs laser cut, so dxf files are my end result.

I have loaded the free version of CompuFoil3D onto my computer at work, and it looks fairly complicated :confused: I was hoping for somethhing simpler. And I don't know if for the $38 registration fees I will be able to achieve what I'm after???

Well I decided I should check out Profili too, so I've got it installed. It does initially appear less complicated than Compufoil. Hopefully it will be able to achieve what I'm after???

Thanks guys!

[atjurhs]

Can Profili make rib templates that have the following pictured D-Sheeted LE and Laid-up TE ? I didn't see where it has this capability, but I've only been playing with it at work (oooooops :eek: ) for a little bit.

[nuevo]

Using Profili, I can get close to your pictures, but not exact. In particular, the LE wood, and the TE. I can make Profili use either the triangle stock or the sheeting. But not both at the same time. For wood rib templates, the difference may or may not be significant to you.

The picture shows auto-generated lightening holes and building tabs on the bottom. I varied the airfoil from root to tip of the panel. All these parameters can be saved & recalled.

I'll have to dig up my old copy of Compufoil 98 and see what I can do there.

[atjurhs]

Nuevo, your drawing i's exactly what I was thinking of. I didn't mean to combine both a triangular stock and sheeting on the TE.

I espeacially like the building tabs idea.

Perhaps this is a digression into construction techniques, but what would you guys think about combing the D-Tube sheeting with a "V-notched" ribs for the LE ? Before I built wings with D-Tubes, I always like using the V-notched ribs because of the added strength that the joints between the ribs and the LE spar has. I've just never combined V-notched ribs with D-Tube sheeting. Is it worthwhile when using D-Tube sheeting or is there not really any added strength?

[tonyestep]

[QUOTE=atjurhs]...I do plan to have the ribs laser cut, so dxf files are my end result....
=================
I have done just that several times with Compufoil. I used it to draw all the ribs on various pretty complicated wings, and used Turbocad to draw the other parts, then sent the .dxf files to Laser Arts (now Mountain Models), who sent me back a neat parts kit. I have Profili too, but have never used it for something like that, so I can't say; but I can definitely vouch for Compufoil. It's got lots of capabilities.

[GLIDERGIDER]

Todd,
I'm pretty partial to Compufoil myself. I think I spent about $120 on the software, but I did it gradually, as I needed the modules. It worked for me.

What ever you get, you are going to enjoy it. I'm having a great time designing and building right now.

You will also need TurboCad for the MAC. (http://turbocad.com/Products/MacProducts/TurboCADMacProv2/tabid/158/Default.aspx) You can get cheaper from Amazon.com though.
Dave

[atjurhs]

Dave, those are exactly the kinds of ribs I'm looking for, except using the AG34-AG38 series.

Perhaps you can give me a CompuFoil lesson or two.....

[GLIDERGIDER]

Dang man, if I knew you were going to beg lessons, I'd have recommended Profili. :) Just kidding. Create a file of your wing, and send it to me. It will be fun to see what you're up too.

[jcyr1]

Gliderguider,
Saw your cutouts, what are you using to cut???? It looks close to "laser"!
What size tool are you using if not laser? So much to learn in CNC cutting.....
John

[GLIDERGIDER]

John,
I'm using a cnc router (home built). The bits are just .032 in diameter. Here's a link with some more pictures taken during the CNC build.
http://flickr.com/photos/41267292@N00/sets/72157594505361068/

Pics of cutting wing ribs. http://flickr.com/photos/41267292@N00/sets/72157600807648084/

[jcyr1]

Dave,
Thanks for the reply and the photos. I have a "home built CNC" also. #1 son is using right now to build his. Got the plans from Kliener(???). Works fine but not very robust, need to beef it upand seeing yours gave me some ideas. Would like to correspond if that's OK? Lunch is on so I'll get off......
John

[atjurhs]

Create a file of your wing, and send it to me. It will be fun to see what you're up too.

You know I'll take ya up on your offer :D check your comcast email....

[CompuFoil]

The new version of CompuFoil3D will generate CNC ready dxf outline files, complete with cutter offset if required. CompuFoil98 is pretty long in the tooth, CompuFoil2000 had many more features over CompuFoil98, but CompuFoil3D was a complete rewrite of the software, (well over a quarter million lines of code), with gobs of new features. It handles foam templates, built up wings, bulkheads, airfoil modifications, NACA generation, et...
It also has the ability to generate 3D renderings of the wing. As always, I welcome calls from customers or not. If anyone wants a quick phone tutorial feel free to call! Honestly, CompuFoil3D is so flexible and has so many features, that it's hard to do a good comparison between CompuFoil and other softwares features.

Regards,
Eric Sanders
http://www.compufoil.com
810-225-1165

[Hans Bruhn]

I would like to put Profili 2.21 on my computer but so far no luck at all.I have been using Profili the older versions and had great luck with this . This seems to be a real mess I can not get straight what is going on one the talk about
Profili 2.11 then it is 2.21 then it is Profili Pro what is
going on. Due I have to install Profili Pro , then the next Profili 2.11 then Profili 2.21 what gives .
Could any one tell me how this works.

Hans Bruhn



I own Profili Pro and Compufoil. Either will do but Profili is 1/10th the price. I have have only figured out how to do one panel at a time with Profili. Compufoil is much easier to layout an entire multi-panel wing. Both programs can directly import airfoil .dat files. Compufoil is $$$$. Profili is €10.00.

I think you can do airfoil plots from the Profili free version, but am not sure since I have already licensed mine.

If you're going to feed the foils into a CNC software of some sort, then that software will likely consume the .dat files directly.

I played with XFLR5 a little and came up with these in 5 minutes. They look nice, but won't get you airfoil plots. ;)

[nuevo]

I have not updated my Profili in quite a while. Ordinarily, I would uninstall an older version of software and install the new version. Being careful to save any data files I created.

I expect only the author can answer your questions.