Project: Rubberband Glider

thingiverse

I've designed a universal body for a rubber band glider with wings that you can design yourself. You're free to use the wings I've included, but keep in mind that I focused more on designing and balancing the body than optimizing the wings. The real fun comes from creating your own unique wings! https://youtu.be/8fS0UL9DvxM Edit - 11-2018: I added a V6 model with a ~20% bigger notch for the rubber band. Print Settings: Printer: Generic Prusa i3 Rafts: No Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.2mm Infill: varies (I printed bodies with 30% and 100% infill, and found that 100% was smoother) I borrowed a MakerBot Replicator 5G and had to print the wings with rafts (it was my first time using this printer). Different materials produce different results for the wings. I experimented with PLA, ABS, and PETG, each yielding distinct outcomes. How I Designed This: I started by sketching out a Cessna-style body inspired by rubber band gliders and cheap balsa wood models. Using my engineering knowledge, I came up with rough dimensions and began modeling in Fusion 360. After printing the initial design, I measured its center of gravity and made adjustments to shave material off the tail. Through multiple revisions, I refined the design until it flew reasonably well with the wings I had created. The progression of body designs is shown below (some were discarded due to being too thin). Overview and Background: As a pilot, I've always been passionate about airplanes. I've built hundreds of model planes, some of which fly while others are purely decorative. To encourage young people's interest in aerospace, I designed this project to create a practical exploration of wing design using rubber band gliders with interchangeable wings. Objectives: * Learn about aerodynamic forces: lift, drag, weight, and thrust * Understand the principles of flight * Study wing design Skills Learned (standards): MP.4 - Model with mathematics (HS-ETS1-1), (HS-ETS1-2), (HS-ETS1-3), (HS-ETS1-4) RST.11-12.9 - Synthesize information from a range of sources into a coherent understanding of a process, phenomenon, or concept References: http://www.aeronautics.nasa.gov/pdf/wing_design_k-12.pdf http://www.4p8.com/eric.brasseur/glider_physics.html Lesson Plan and Activity: Step 1 - Background Knowledge: * Discuss aerodynamic forces * Explain how wings work * Demonstrate a paper wing (tape around a pencil, blow gently) * Discuss air resistance and friction * Introduce center of gravity and its impact on glider performance * Explore different wing styles: rectangular, elliptical, swept (forward and rear), and delta * Have students develop ideas on which wings will work better Step 2 - Design and/or Build: Option 1: Have students design a set of wings and print them. The wing root has a 2.4mm square design ~18mm long; the wing needs an inside 3mm square ~20mm long to slip onto the root. Option 2: Print one or all the wings I've included in the thing files. Option 3: Design a consensus set of wings as a class and print it (maybe as an addon to Option 2). Option 4: Let students modify or design their own body and wings. Step 3 - Practical Testing: Option 1: Assemble the glider. Left wing slipped onto the root & Right wing slipped onto the root. Photos below Left Wing -> Body