Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

Now I have finished all my tests, got all the tools, templates and material ready so I can multiply my design. I'm building this plane for my fellow club members in the ARF from, so they don't need to play with sharp tools or small parts:D.

The key points to the Edge 540 3D Profile design are:
- Straight LE enfrced with Carbon Fiber. Even when you hit the lamp pole, the wing will stay in one piece
- Tapered ailerons. This gives rock solid high alpha maneuvers without tip stalling or snapping
- All surfaces in the thrust line. Edge 540 3D Profile flies straight or inverted without elevator input, and knife edge with just a little rudder.
- Huge control surfaces. Any 3D trick is available.
- Carbon Fiber enforced depron construction. No more flexing wings or twisting fuselage.
- Landing gear. If you don't have nice grass or don't want to play "catch me, it you can", you can land without tearing up the foam.

For more details follow the link:
[link=http://m.modelersinc.home.comcast.net/edge540/edge540.html]http://m.modelersinc.home.comcast.net/edge540/edge540.html[/link]

http://m.modelersinc.home.comcast.ne...540/edge08.jpg

RysiuM

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

is that inside of RC Country? Wow if it is you are in my favorite store. Too bad it is the only decent one within 30 minutes of my house (Lodi).

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

Yep, it is. See the whole post:
[link=http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1205646/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#1205646]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_1205646/mpage_1/key_/anchor/tm.htm#1205646[/link]

RysiuM

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

thats awesome

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

Hi Guys(gals) Here is a pic of how to make a stick fuse for these foam flyers. I just drew right on the plans and covered them with wax paper to build. MAD out.

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

I have heard that none of the lowes or home depots in CA stock fan fold. Is this true?

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

Can't say about Home Depot, but I tried Lowes (I gave them the barcode to scan), and they have this product in the computer system, with the information, that it's not available in Nevada Central Warehouse, where the whole North California (I don't know about south CA) is supplied from.[:'(]

I tried to get a special order, but they were not really interested.[:@]

I just gave up. Fortunately I got my Depron from Europe, so I don't care any more (at least for a while).[:o]

RysiuM

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

Depron is available at Depron USA, and the prices are resonable.

Tom

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

What are the recommended control surface throws for the 3DX?

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

As much as you can get if your radio is exponentialy capable.

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

Right. But the time, I was looking for it, they were out of stock with no information about availability date. The second problem with plates available at Depron USA is the sheet size. Either: short and 19 inches wide or narrow long. Either way, I would need at least 2 plates for one airplane with plenty scraps so it will cost 10 to 15 dollars per piece. I understand that this is a balance between the area and shipping cost, and that's why I had to get my box with me on the plane (I still had to pay excessive baggage fee). But when you look a couple posts back, I use more than 90% of the area cutting 1 plane from the one sheet.
It's a shame, that the manufacturer is going to discontinue this product (that's what they told me). There is a better and cheaper product on the market for the floor insulation, but it's to flexible for the profile models. I'm afraid, that Depron might go away some day.[sm=drowning.gif]

RysiuM

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

I do know that supplies of Depron at Depron were short for a length of time, maybe because of us flatplane builders, but it is my understanding that the problem no longer exists. When I purchased from them a few weeks ago for my 3DX two sheets cost me $19.00 shipped to my door, six bucks per plus shipping. I now see that they have changed the price to five bucks a sheet. Not bad since it's a better media that fff.

Tom

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

100% true:D. When I was kitting my first Depron Edge I did the whole calculation of material used (depron, carbon fiber, horns, links gear etc. etc.) I ended up in $50 range. So not much big difference in cost compared to balsa build-up profile. The only benefit is that It's faster to build and you will get much, much tougher plane without weight paying penalty.;)

Our friends in Europe can get Depron for the 1/3 of that price, but we here have to pay humongous shipping cost.[:@]. I know that, and I'm glad that Depron USA set their prices on the reasonable level. If you don't have a chance to travel to Europe and spend a couple of days in hardware stores (like me:D), Depron USA is the only reasonable choice. And who ever had a chance to work with Depron, will never return to FFF.
BTW, I'm not affiliated with Depron USA (I didn't even buy foam from them), but I'm glad that there is someone who can get us the stuff, that modelers i Europe are using for at least couple years.

RysiuM

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

I got tired of holding while calling lowes so I am going to get depron. It is better anyway.

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

Set your throws to 45° with 80% expo :D

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

i made myself a foam cutting bow yesterday, it's pretty slick. Now I just need some foam for it to cut.:D I cut some sturdy board with it and it was really awesome, it just slid right through and made a nice clean cut.

RE: Edge 540 3D Profile ARF ready to go
 

I plan on locking one of the hinges to make it more secure but it is okay for now. It works really well and I am going to rig up a pulley system to cut out wing cores for larger models. The same system as the feathercut machine. I would build a cnc but I don't have that kind of money.

Edge 540 3D Profile ARF VIDEO
 

Hi guys,

It was kind of windy and rainy today, but it didn't stop PLANEBENDER from flying his new toy I built for him.
Check this video and enjoy this almost 4 minutes of fun flying including crazy flat spins, harriers, inverted loops all mastered by Dave.
[link=http://webs.lanset.com/kenny/edge_540_profile_arf.wmv]http://webs.lanset.com/kenny/edge_540_profile_arf.wmv[/link]
The file is about 10 MB but it's worth waiting.

RysiuM

Reason for edit: We have moved the video to MASM website:
[link=http://masm.inc.home.comcast.net]http://masm.inc.home.comcast.net[/link]

RE: Front Yard 3D+Video
 

I cut out my first 3DX tonight.
What is the best technique for beveling the edges of the control surfaces?

Also what is the best hinging technique?

I am not sure how to search thread without searching in the larger 3d forum and I remember reading it in here somewhere.

Thanks
Steve

RE: Front Yard 3D+Video
 

Steve, check out post number 615 [link=http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=163580&perpage=15&pagen umber=41]here[/link]. One picture is worth a thousand words. To cut the bevel, use a straightedge and a sharp number eleven blade. As far as hinging material goes, I use Graupner hinge tape or it's equivilant.

Tom

RE: Front Yard 3D+Video
 

RysiuM, looks like you are having to much fun!:D

RE: Front Yard 3D+Video
 

Blackadder: Baldrick, have you no idea what irony is?
Baldrick: Yes, it's like goldy and bronzy only it's made out of iron.

Sorry guys, just couldn't resist:D

Now for the questions:
1. For beveling I use a piece of aluminum triangle with sanding paper glued inside (300 grid). I use two pieces. On long for long surfaces (ailerons) and short for elevator and rudder.

2. For hinging I use 3M clear tape 1 inch wide on both sides. Just get two surfaces together in 90 degree angle and put the sticky tape on the top. Then bend deflect the surface 90 degrees the other way and put the second stripe of clear tape. Using this method my surfaces are going at least 90 degrees each way with less than 1/16 inch gap between them. The gap is sealed with the tape anyway.

RE: Front Yard 3D+Video
 

Was wondering about the battery back.
1) would the Sanyo HRAAU 9.6V 1700 mAh AA battery pack be too heavy.
They are 27 gm or 14 grams more than the AAA 720 mAh batteries. This would be about 104 grams or 3.7 oz more.
The plans call for a flying weight of 12 oz so this pack would weigh almost 8oz leaving only 4 for the plane. too heavy? I plan on using a Himax 2015 4100 or 5200 motor.

2) I see most packs attached to one side of the fuse or thru it with another hole.
I was thinking of building a "saddle pack" with 4 batteries in a stick formation on each side of the fuse
wired for 9.V Is it worth the extra effort for this configuration to eliminate an unbalanced load?

Thanks in advance
Steve

RE: Front Yard 3D+Video
 

The whole fun is when the plane is light. I mean light. 12-13 oz max. The bes option for battery is LiPo. If you can't, go for power, not for flight duration. The heavier the battery, the heavier the plane, the more power motor will use. So as you see you should use the smallest battery taht you can. The limit will be of course the battery amperage. NiMh 720 can give you 7A which is enough to the motor. If you can get smaller (lighter) pack that can give you 7A, that's better. Hi discharge LiPo 340mAh can be discharged up to 20C (6.8A) - this is the perfect solution. Weight's nothing, gives poop.

If this plane is to heavy, you will be fighting it instead of flying.

We found, that the lateral balance should be a little on the right side -this counterbalances torque from the prop. Also, the most of the weight (which is the battery) should be near the wing line (on the top of the wing or just under the wing). With 340 LiPo it doesn't really make a difference, while the battery is so light. We just stick the LiPo on the right side of the fuselage just under the wing.

I hope this helps.

Richard.

RE: Front Yard 3D+Video
 

Hello,
I'm building a 3dx have one question, did any of you use dowels instead of cf tubes.
I bought cf tubes when I was in Miami but left them in the trunk of the rental car(stupid)
I realy want to get this plane up this weekend.

Thanks,

john