It’s Raining Software!
Well after a long blog hiatus, I’m back and happy to report there are some exciting things happening in the land of CAD. In the past few weeks there has been some very exciting news on the software front. First, out of left field, Autodesk suddenly announced it was going to resume development of T-Splines … Read more
T-Splines Webinar: Transitioning from NURBS to T-Splines
Well let’s get some of the dust off this blog, it’s been far too long. I’ve been busy with a variety of projects and distractions, unfortunately very little of which can be shared here. I did however do a nice one hour webinar hosted by Autodesk on the very basics of T-Splines. Especially for those … Read more
48″ Convair 240 – Wing Lofting
Pecking away at the Convair 240 radio control model. This is being done for a contest on the Ezone forums, and so I really need to get moving on this thing to get it in the air by June 30th contest end date. The wings are getting there – mostly lofted, just have to … Read more
Using Rare Earth Magnets to Join Composite Structures
You know what I think is a little silly? Using clecoes to join composite structures. I mean, sure, they work, but unlike when you are working with sheet metal, at the end of it you have a bunch of useless holes that have to get filled in. Also, multiple insertions/removals of the cleco tends to … Read more
The Method Part II – Demolding the Parts
Following up on my previous post on my method of making high quality, re-usable tooling with CNC machined foam and Stretchelon bagging film, here’s how things tend to go on the demold side. First, turn off the pumps, and then remove all the secondary fabrics/films that are bagging the part: I’ve left the peel ply … Read more
Creating High Quality, Reusable Molds with CNC Machined Foam and Stretchelon Bagging Film – aka “The Method”
This post is really the culmination of a few years of research, research that I’ve decided to set loose into the world. We call this “The Method,” or sometimes “The Stretchelon Trick” and it’s my primary method of creating tooling for composite parts these days. As an example, I’m using the Giles 200 gear leg … Read more
VariEze N388DT – Fuselage Refinishing
I’m back from vacation! Had a very nice time, but I’m happy to be back in the States, and working away on some cool projects. James has been working on scraping all the old paint and fill off of the VariEze. The paint is Imron, which has been holding up quite nicely, but the fill … Read more
Gone Trekking – On Vacation April 1 to April 19
Things are going to get a little musty and dusty around here for a few weeks, because tomorrow morning I’m on a plane heading for Nepal, for three weeks of much needed vacation. I’ll have very limited access to email, and no phone/voicemail access at all. So, if you need anything, please contact James Jorgensen … Read more
Fun with MAXshot/EXAscan – Digitizing “The Racer” Fuselage
Last week we were up in Reno, doing among other things, a digitization of a plane that is simply called “The Racer.” The Racer is an as of yet unfinished Unlimited Reno racer. It’s pretty much the smallest plane you can build around a Wright R-3350, which is still a pretty big plane. The Racer … Read more
T-Splines Tip – Panel Line Breaks
I figured I would do a quick little step by step on making panel line breaks with T-Splines. The first thing is to make sure that you have an isocurve, or isocurve loop that follows the panel line break that you want. This sometimes can be tricky – in the case of this windshield, I … Read more
