Originally Posted by Glidergider  Mike,
I've always wondered how a CNC router would finish the bottom of a wing? See the attached picture. The top is no problem, there's no easy way to finish the bottom. What would you do? You can't turn a complex airfoil on
Now if I were cutting a foil for a mold, then no problem, because you would cut a top, the cut a separate bottom.
Dave |
Dave,
Great question. I've only given it a little thought and all I can come up with is about the same as you suggest: Route the top and bottom separately with a lip around the edges. The lip could be used for alignment before gluing, then cut off??? I guess since the two would be mated together it might be a good time to put some spar material in. This might be good for DLG wings if it doesn't add too much weight. Do you think the material would become too thin routing this way that it wouldn't be feasible? Might be a particular problem with Drela et al foils.
Another option would be to use a 4-axis machine so that you route both sides (not a perfect solution either I realize). Biggest drawback of this is I haven't got a clue how you'd keep the piece stationary enough.
Mike