Wood Hand Glider

Greetings from Dayalbagh Educational Institute! I'm excited to share my journey of designing a wooden hand glider using Fusion 360. This powerful 3D modeling software has allowed me to explore aerospace engineering by creating precise wing profiles with the airfoil tool.

This project highlights Fusion 360's versatility as a tool for crafting aerodynamic aircraft. I'm also proud to participate in the Make it Fly Student Design Challenge and will feature our school's name, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, in the Instructable.

Join me as we delve into wooden hand glider design with Fusion 360 and aim to excel in the Make it Fly Student Design Challenge.

1. Fusion 360 Software: Fusion 360 is a comprehensive 3D modeling and CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software developed by Autodesk. You used Fusion 360 as the primary software tool for creating the digital model of your wooden hand glider. This software allowed you to design and visualize every aspect of the glider, including its wings, fuselage, and control surfaces.
2. "Airfoil Sketch from File" Add-In: The "Airfoil Sketch from File" add-in is an extension for Fusion 360 that enables you to generate sketch profiles from CSV or DAT files. This tool was crucial for importing airfoil data into your Fusion 360 design. It allowed you to define precise wing profiles, a critical aspect of aerodynamic design for your hand glider.
3. Computer: You used a computer equipped with Fusion 360 and the necessary hardware specifications to run the software efficiently. This computer served as the platform for your 3D modeling and design work.
4. CSV or DAT Files: To utilize the "Airfoil Sketch from File" add-in effectively, you needed CSV or DAT files containing airfoil coordinate data. These files likely contained precise coordinates defining the shape of the airfoil sections you used for your glider's wings. These coordinate files are essential for importing accurate airfoil profiles into Fusion 360.

1. Select Sketch and Plane: Open Fusion 360 and choose the "Sketch" feature. Next, select the plane where you want to create your sketch. You mentioned choosing the "right plane," which is a common choice for many designs. This sets the foundation for your 2D sketch.
2. Draw a Rectangle: Within the sketch environment, use the appropriate tools to draw a rectangle. You can typically find this tool in the "Create" panel. Draw a rectangle by specifying its dimensions, either by clicking and dragging or entering specific values.
3. Extrude the Rectangle: After creating the rectangle, you can extrude it to the desired thickness. Use the "Extrude" tool, often located in the "Create" or "Modify" panel. Enter the thickness you want, in this case, 10 mm, or any other desired value.

1. Visit the Airfoil Tool Website: Go to the Airfoil Tool website (airfoiltools.com). This website provides a database of various airfoil profiles that you can browse and choose from.
2. Select Your Desired Airfoil: Explore the database to find the best aerodynamic profile that suits your project's requirements. You can search and filter airfoils based on parameters like thickness, camber, and more.
3. Access the DAT File: Once you've chosen an airfoil profile, locate the DAT file for that specific airfoil. DAT files contain the coordinates of the airfoil's shape.
4. Copy DAT File to Notepad: Click on the DAT file link to access the data. Select and copy the entire content of the DAT file.
5. Save as DAT File: Open a text editor like Notepad on your computer. Paste the copied content into a new text document. Initially, you may face issues when saving the file. To resolve this, choose the option to save the file in "All Files" format and add ".dat" to the end of the file name. This ensures that the file is saved in DAT format.

1. Construct a Construction Line:
2. Within your Fusion 360 design, access the sketch where you have imported the DAT file, which represents your airfoil profile.
3. To create a construction line, select the "Sketch" menu and choose "Line" or "Polyline." Make sure you enable construction mode for this line. This line will serve as a guide for connecting the last two points of your airfoil.
4. Add the DAT File Using Add-Ins:
5. If you haven't already, use Fusion 360's add-ins or tools to import the DAT file that represents your airfoil profile. Ensure that the imported airfoil aligns with the construction line you created in the previous step.
6. Connect the Last Two Points:
7. Zoom in on the area where the last two points of the airfoil are not connected. You'll likely see a gap between these points.
8. To connect them, use the "Line" or "Polyline" tool again, this time without enabling construction mode.
9. Start the line or polyline from one of the unconnected points and draw it to the other point. This action should close the gap, creating a continuous line.
10. Generate a Closed Face:
11. Once you've connected the last two points with the polyline, the airfoil profile should now form a closed shape.
12. Fusion 360 should automatically recognize this closed shape as a face. If not, you can explicitly use the "Create" menu to generate a face from the closed profile.

1. Select the Airfoil Face:
2. Open your Fusion 360 design where you've created the airfoil profile and connected it to the base.
3. Activate the "Extrude" command by going to the "Create" menu and selecting "Extrude."
4. Choose the Airfoil Face:
5. In the "Extrude" dialog box, select the airfoil face that you want to extrude. Click on the face to highlight it. Fusion 360 will recognize the closed face you created in Step 3.
6. Set the Extrusion Distance:
7. After selecting the airfoil face, you need to specify the extrusion distance. In your case, you want to extrude it to a thickness of 0.1mm.
8. Enter "0.1mm" in the distance input box in the "Extrude" dialog.
9. Select Direction:
10. Choose the direction in which you want to extrude the face. Typically, you'll want to extrude it perpendicular to the base.
11. Fusion 360 will usually default to the correct direction based on the selected face.
12. Confirm and Execute:
13. Review the extrusion settings to ensure they match your requirements.
14. Once you are satisfied, click the "OK" or "OK to Extrude" button to execute the extrusion.
15. Verify the Result:
16. After the extrusion is complete, your airfoil face should now extend 0.1mm from the base you created in Step 1.
17. You can further inspect and adjust the extrusion if needed.

1. we're looking to create wings for your glider by adjusting the extruded airfoil, making a copy, and scaling it. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieve this in Fusion 360:
2. Adjust the Extruded Airfoil:
3. Start by selecting the extruded airfoil that you created in Step 3.
4. Enter the sketch environment for this face if it's not already in sketch mode.
5. Make any necessary adjustments to the airfoil shape using the sketch tools. This allows you to modify the shape to your desired aerodynamic profile.
6. Create a Second Airfoil:
7. After adjusting the first airfoil to your liking, exit the sketch mode and return to the 3D modeling environment.
8. Now, use the "Move and Copy" command to duplicate the modified airfoil. Select the airfoil, choose "Modify" from the menu, and then "Move and Copy."
9. Position the copied airfoil where you want to create the second wing.
10. Scale the Second Airfoil:
11. With the second airfoil selected, use the "Scale" command from the "Modify" menu.
12. Specify the scale factor. In your case, you want to scale it to 0.50, which means 50% of the original size.
13. Ensure that the scaling is uniform, maintaining proportions, and apply the scale transformation.
14. Arrange the Airfoils:
15. Adjust the position and orientation of the scaled airfoil to achieve the desired aerodynamic shape for your glider's wings.
16. You can use the "Move" and "Rotate" commands from the "Modify" menu to arrange the airfoils precisely as needed.
17. Review and Refine:
18. Carefully review the arrangement and positioning of both airfoils to ensure they form the desired wing shape.
19. Make any further adjustments as necessary to achieve the desired aerodynamic profile.

We will create the wing structure using the "Loft" command in Fusion 360. Here's a more detailed guide on how to do this:

1. Select Faces:
2. First, ensure that you have the two faces you want to use for creating the wing structure. These faces can be the extruded airfoil and any other relevant face or profile that will form the wing.
3. Activate the Loft Command:
4. In Fusion 360, go to the "Create" menu at the top of the screen.
5. From the dropdown, select "Loft" under the "Create" section. This will activate the Loft command.
6. Select Profiles:
7. With the Loft command activated, you'll be prompted to select profiles or sections. Click on the first face (profile) that you want to use for the loft. Then, select the second face (profile).
8. Adjust and Preview:
9. Fusion 360 will automatically create a lofted surface that connects the two selected profiles. You can adjust the loft by manipulating the handles or control points that appear.
10. Preview the lofted structure and ensure it forms the desired wing shape.
11. Complete the Loft:
12. Once you are satisfied with the lofted wing structure, press the "OK" or "Finish" button to complete the loft operation.
13. Refine and Modify:
14. After creating the initial loft, you can further refine the wing structure as needed. This may involve adjusting the loft's orientation, size, or any other parameters to achieve the desired aerodynamic shape.
15. Review and Save:
16. Carefully review the created wing structure to ensure it meets your design requirements.
17. Save your work in Fusion 360 to preserve the wing design.

We will generate the second left wing by using the "Mirror" command in Fusion 360. This command allows you to create a mirrored copy of an existing wing, saving you time and ensuring symmetry. Here's how to do it:

1. Select the Wing:
2. Choose the wing structure you've created in the previous steps. This will be the wing that you want to mirror to create the second left wing.
3. Activate the Mirror Command:
4. Go to the "Create" menu at the top of the Fusion 360 interface.
5. Choose the "Mirror" Option:
6. From the dropdown menu, select the "Mirror" option. This will activate the Mirror command.
7. Select the Mirror Plane:
8. When prompted, choose the mirror plane. In your case, you want to create a mirrored copy along the Z-axis to generate the second left wing. So, select the Z-axis as the mirror plane.
9. Complete the Mirror Operation:
10. Fusion 360 will generate a mirrored copy of the selected wing on the opposite side of the Z-axis. This will create the second left wing.

we can further refine the aerodynamics of your wings by extending them. Here's how you can do it:

1. Select the Wing Profile:
2. Choose the wing profile that you want to extend and make more aerodynamic.
3. Use the Move Command:
4. Go to the "Modify" menu at the top of the Fusion 360 interface.
5. Select the "Move" command.
6. Adjust the Profile:
7. In the Move dialog box, you can translate and rotate the selected wing profile as needed to achieve the desired aerodynamic shape.
8. Make adjustments to the profile according to your aerodynamic design requirements.
9. Mirror the Wing:
10. After refining one side of the wing, use the "Mirror" command again to create a mirrored copy of the extended wing on the other side.
11. Ensure that the mirror plane is correctly set to maintain symmetry.

1. Sketch the Back Wing:
2. Start by creating a new sketch where you want to position the rearward-facing wing.
3. Use the "Line" and "Arc" tools to sketch the shape of the wing. Design it according to your desired specifications.
4. Extrude the Sketch:
5. After completing the sketch, exit the sketching environment.
6. Select the sketch you've just created and use the "Extrude" command to give it thickness. Extrude it to a thickness of 0.1 mm or your desired value.
7. Adjust the Second Phase:
8. If needed, use the "Move" and "Copy" commands to adjust the position and orientation of the extruded wing, ensuring it aligns with your glider's design.
9. Create the Back Wing:
10. Now, use the "Loft" command to create the back wing. Select the profiles of the extruded sketch and any other sketches or profiles required for the loft operation.
11. Fusion 360 will generate a smooth transition between the selected profiles, creating the back wing of your glider.

1. Sketch the Right Face:
2. Start by creating a new sketch on the right face of the base where you want to position the rearward-facing wing.
3. Sketch the Wing Shape:
4. Use the "Line" and "Arc" tools in the sketch to draw the desired shape for the wing, similar to what you did in Step 8.
5. Extrude the Sketch:
6. Exit the sketching environment and select the sketch you've just created.
7. Use the "Extrude" command to give the sketch thickness, extruding it to 0.1 mm or your preferred value.
8. Adjust the Second Phase:
9. If necessary, use the "Move" and "Copy" commands to adjust the position and orientation of the extruded wing on the right side of the base.
10. Create the Right Wing:
11. Utilize the "Loft" command to create the right rearward-facing wing. Select the profiles of the extruded sketch and any other required profiles.
12. Mirror the Wings:
13. To create the left wing, use the "Mirror" tool.
14. Select the newly created right-wing as the object to mirror.
15. Choose the Z-axis as the mirror plane, ensuring that you get both wings symmetrically.
16. Review and Refine:
17. Carefully review the wings' placement and shape on both sides to ensure symmetry and the desired aerodynamic characteristics.

1. we will apply fillets to finish the design and achieve the desired look. Fillets are rounded or curved edges that can improve the aerodynamics and aesthetics of your glider. Here's how to do it:
2. Select the Edges:
3. Go to the "Modify" menu or the equivalent option in your CAD software.
4. Choose the "Fillet" command.
5. Select the Edges to Fillet:
6. Click on the edges of your glider's wings, body, or any other parts where you want to apply fillets. These edges will become rounded.
7. Specify the Fillet Radius:
8. After selecting the edges, you'll be prompted to specify the fillet radius. This determines how large the rounded curve will be. Enter the desired value, or experiment with different sizes to achieve the look you want.
9. Apply Fillets:
10. Confirm the fillet radius, and the software will automatically round the selected edges.

your hand glider is ready .