Blue73

Hi Aniron, This is still WIP, once I'm happy everything works at a larger scale I'll release the STL files. cheers John

Thanks Nicka117, I'll see how well I can stream line the operation to make that viable but I'm guessing showing others how to make their own would be better. All you need is a 3D printer and some basic electronics skills. The largest component is time. cheers John

Thanks Ross, the inner workings have evolved to this state, my first one was a birds nest which made troubleshooting difficult and prone to wiring issues. I've tried different connector types until I found a system that was reliable and easy to build. I've settled onto this wiring design, the last four boxes have worked first time with no faults. I'm printing the right hand boxes now while I design the forward angle sections. cheers John

Thanks Goslin, though it does consume allot of time I am enjoying the process.

Under the hood shots of the lighting panel. The caddy I made for the Arduino slides in and out through a port hole in the lower face plate so the wiring is kept low profile. This circuit now has a tantalum cap, not shown here. I run 5V everywhere rather than supply. cheers John

Hi All, New Fuel panel has been integrated into the throttle lip and a bus extender cable constructed to take power and data to the next column. This same cable design will be used to service the front and right hand panel groups. cheers John

Hi Ross, Sorry I haven't thought that far ahead, got my head in the weeds. I think a matrixed input would be needed, probably would need a mega to handle all the input requirements, alternatively multiple Nanos. I'm close to starting the angled section in front of the throttle, when I'm building the frame I'll see how a UFC might work. I play in VR so its not really an issue if it hovers over my keyboard. I'm picturing a frame using many 3d printed braces and beams, locked together with nuts and bolts. cheers John

I have had similar thoughts but ran with this design to maximise the modularity of the design. Each box is "loosely coupled" which will help minimise future design restraints.

I'm currently finalising the left hand electronics then I'll move forward and build the angled panel. The design will mimic the hornet panel. I don't refer to any others work as it will bias the result.

That's a great idea Ross, I'll extend that to printing in clear (comes out smoked), paint it black then in-bed cutouts to hold small SMD leds. Haven't heard of PLY, I'll look it up. A benefit of printing in HIPS is it can be easily sanded smooth and if white may be enough to transport light. cheers John

Hi Mr Burns, I print at 0.19mm layer height/60% infill so the 40mm horizontal and vertical boxes take approx 10hours each, and the face plates 3-5 hours. I have the Zortrax M200, the printer is a real work horse, not one print failure in the 18 months I've been using it.

Hi, After it has been developed and there's demand I'll provide howto's for these boxes. I could change this thread into more of a build thread rather than just posting the final results. Not sure if this forum is the place for that type of thing. cheers John

Thanks Ross! I have a little CNC router on the way, thinking about printing the top panel in white HIPS plastic, sand smooth, spray black then route/laser etch the lettering.

Hi, The Lighting, APU and Ground Power vertical panels are in. Currently working on moving the FCS panel behind the throttle, should have that printed this weekend.

Hi, I only designed it that way so I can push fit the toggle switches without the need to use the nuts. My new modular panel is more traditional and is easier to work with. Yes the extra plastic makes the unit allot more solid and switch actions sound less "tinny". Good luck with your build! cheers John

Proto vertical transfer unit, it acts as a T-Junction, serving left and right vertical units. The left side panel will be the APU/Engine Crank and the right side panel the lighting panel. Vertical Lighting Panel, need to CAD the knobs. cheers John

Thanks Ross that sums it up, the print time is the real killer. I'm building this project using basic techniques so anyone can make their own. E.g. only using vero board for the bus transceiver and making stencils so you know where to drill out the track. I do have design set backs every now and again which means I need to reprint. The panels are continuously evolving as the solution is fleshed out. The latest redesign is the feet arrangement, initially I made them asymmetrical, but now that I'm building the vertical units I realised they should be symmetrical to allow for universal feet units. This change affects all boxes before it, more reprinting time. I've made the decision to not stick with a bad design and change things even if it requires a complete reprint. cheers John

Hi Mr Burns, I don't know who that is, what I'm building is my own idea.

Hi, If you're talking about engaging in a similar project with your own 3d printer then each box is around 80-150 grams of plastic. Most of the cost is in the switches and electronics. If you're referring to my project I haven't made a decision on whether I sell these or provide the plans so people can build them themselves. My main focus at the moment is to complete the design. cheers John

Modular Panel (WIP) : Update new IFF/ILS Panel Hi, Here is a picture of the completed ILS/IFF Panel, it's a 120mm panel. So I have 40mm, 80mm and 120mm panels. Next as I move forward I'll design/print the portrait panels. I've also designed a panel that bolts directly to the rear of the throttle encasing the lower lip extension. cheers John

oh I know that :)

:) the printer is the slowest part. I've completed the ILS/IFF 120mm panel, it will take 28hrs print.

Comms Panel now included. This is using the first 80mm panel. One of the knobs needs to be upsized slightly. cheers John

Hi All, New F-18 FCS Panel built, the fuel panel is next to it. Volume panel is next. Everything except for the controls is 3D printed. cheers John

Can you PM me your email? Code is too long to be able to PM you.