3D Printed Cox Babe Bee

Tallon Thu Apr 18, 2013 5:21 pm

I haven't posted on here much so I'll start by re introducing myself. My name is Jake, I'm a high school student from Texas. I got into model airplanes about 8 years ago and taught myself how to fly. Got into cox engines 2 years and have been hooked ever since. Anyways, my engineering class did a project where we could design any object we wanted on a cad based program called autodesk inventor and then send it to our 3d printer. After 4 weeks, or roughly 16 hours class time, I finished a full size sketch of the babe bee. Only used a dial caliper and the basic tools to disassemble the engine to help me. Finally, on Tuesday my engine was printed and I got it today. So, here it is!

The pictures don't show some of the details too well due to glare off the white plastic. I'll try to find lighting that shows the details a little better.

Jake

ian1954 Thu Apr 18, 2013 5:30 pm

That is a very nice representation of what 3D printing can achieve.

I do CAD-CAM with a milling machine but have been fascinated with the 3D printers and the scope to be able to make moulds for casting.

It would be very nice if you could post a video of it in action so that the group could see it.

**Admin** Thu Apr 18, 2013 5:35 pm

That is cool! It looks great! I always wanted to gain access to a 3D printer for this exact reason. From what I hear, my high school got a 3D printer just a year after I graduated. Every year those 3D printers fall in price so hopefully someday soon they will become more of a consumer item.

Tallon Thu Apr 18, 2013 5:56 pm

Thanks for the compliments guys! The engine is only a static model, it doesn't have any moving parts. I originally wanted to make it with a functional crank and piston but didn't have enough time. I'm going to keep working on it when I have free time and hopefully by the end of the school year I can print one that'll work.

ZAGNUT Thu Apr 18, 2013 6:17 pm

Tallon wrote: I originally wanted to make it with a functional crank and piston but didn't have enough time.

Back in the dark ages of 3D printing a company I worked with would print little keychain sized crescent wrenches to hand out at trade shows. They functioned just like the real thing but with no apparent way to take them apart. Blew peoples minds back then.

David

pkrankow Thu Apr 18, 2013 6:24 pm

OK. I like it. Very cool.

Is the plastic fuel proof?

How tight of tolerances can you achieve?

The possibilities are endless...

Phil

Tallon Thu Apr 18, 2013 6:40 pm

My teacher has a crescent wrench that's about 6 inches long he designed and printed. Works just like the one you described. He's got a large collection of things he's printed, I'll take some pictures tomorrow and post them. When my engine was printed, he also printed one that was 4X full size. I'm going to see if he'll print me one too if I pay for it. The spools of plastic the printer uses cost a small fortune so it probably won't be cheap.

It uses ABS plastic which I'm pretty sure is fuel proof. One of the other parts I made was a copy of Dubro's 1/2A control horns. If he lets me print a set (probably for a small price) I'm going to use them on the DNU I'm building.

Tallon Thu Apr 18, 2013 6:43 pm

Forgot to mention, our printer at max resolution has a tolerance of 1/1000"

MrGoodwreck Thu Apr 18, 2013 7:36 pm

That is some neat stuff.

I would print up a couple just to swap out the engines on the planes I have hanging up in my sons bedroom Shh

**RknRusty** Thu Apr 18, 2013 8:21 pm

I was about to say that too. They would make great dummies for airplane collectors. If they cost less than a real engine.

**Cribbs74** Thu Apr 18, 2013 8:39 pm

A much better use for 3D printers instead of making illegal gun parts. Don't get me wrong I love my guns, but things should be on the up and up.

You should paint one out and do a side by side comparison

Good job!

Ron