25-5-2023
By request, there is now also the option part W3 split so that it is possible to print this part with less than 200mm print height. See sub directory in Wing.
Manual is online, 12-4-2023
https://youtu.be/0ZAbRk-qmLw
I designed the 3D printed Chipmunk because I wanted a simple, cheap, and good flying model. One that doesn't take up much space in the car and can go everywhere. As with my Boulton Paul, I have also made sure that it is easy to replace a part if it goes wrong with the chipmunk. Not every part can be replaced separately. For example, the fuselage basically consists of six separately printed parts. Three of these are glued together to form the tail section, the front section of the fuselage at the level of the wing then consists of two parts and then there is the engine mount. These three main parts are then screwed together, if one of these three sections is broken, it is sufficient to reprint only the parts of that section. All parts of the tail surfaces are removable by simply unscrewing a few screws.
For easy transport, the Wings are easily removable without the need for tools.
Again, I chose to work with parts without an internal structure but with an infill. Without wanting to comment negatively on all the existing designs with internal structure, I still prefer to work with an infill, it simply feels better to me.
I did several tests, with infill and with internal structure. As expected, the parts do indeed become lighter when you work with internal structures, but they often feel so fragile that you hardly dare to touch them. If I then go up with the wall thickness, it does become firmer, but the weight advantage quickly disappears.
I have already printed countless parts with different settings, and it seems to me that single-walled with a Gyroid infill of 6% is the best compromise between strength and weight. What has proven to be very important here is that you can find the right setting in terms of temperature and flow rate for each type of LW filament and 3D printer. The settings in the 3MF files for the Chipmunk are the ones I used on my Ender 6 with BiQu H2, the filament is E-sun LW PLA and 3Dlabprint Polylight sliced with Cura 5.0.
Adjustments in the setting may be necessary for your printer and filament. This is easily done in Cura by editing the 3MF files.
As a power setup, a 28mm outrunner of about 80gr with a kv 1100 to 1300 and 3s 1800 -2200mAh will suffice. This is a very common setup, and I can imagine many of you have something like leftovers lying around in your drawer.
With this setup and a 3s 1800mAh battery the Chipmunk weighs just under 1000gr and I get flight times of around 10 minutes.
It took me some effort but it was worth it and I am satisfied with the control of the tail, this is done completely internally. This is also the case with the flaps, the only controls that are external are those of the ailerons.
My Chipmunk has now had many flying hours without problems and I like to fly it. Although the Chipmunk takes off and lands well without flaps, I thought it would be nice to have them. That is why I have provided the option to install flaps. This has not yet been tested in flight as it is not yet fully finished, but I do not expect any problems with this.
The Zip file, "X51DH Chipmunk" contains all STL, 3MF and Gcodes needed to print the Chipmunk.
The manual and pictures Zip files are draft and still being worked on they will be gradually updated.
Have fun printing and flying the Chipmunk, and if anything is unclear or doesn't seem right, please let me know.