I've had pretty good results with my first hot wire cutting of foam wings.

I have access to a die cutter who can laser cut some templates out of formica.
should be much better than the 1/4" oak I cut.

I probably have one shot as this so I would like to set up a file with multiple airfoils on it.
What would be a couple of other airfoils I could use?
I can probably fit quite a few templates on the sheet of formica..

I'm used the Clark Y attached for my SSCombat wing. I havent flown it yet.
I'll be interested in making Glider wings, what would be a good airfoil for that?

steve

A good place to ask that would be on the Glider Forum.

The answer is already there, but no problem asking again.

Depends what you want the glider to do. Duration speed aerobatics ??

Not looking for just a glider but maybe 4 - 5 basic airfoils.
I have the opportunity to get these templates laser cut out of formica.
Instead of just cutting the Clark Y airfoil I'm playing with now I can gang up 4-5 airfoils and get them all cut at once ( for my future use )
Maybe its not practical if I dont know exactly what I want right now?

What would be some good generic airfoil shapes to have on hand.
I could make a flat bottom airfoil, a symetrical airfoil, something for a glider,

I have this 1 opportunity to get some templates cut. Could I choose 4-5 airfoils that would represent what you would use for different styles of flying?
I found the clark Y airfoil by researching online, It seems to be a common one so I went with that.. I dont have time to research all the variations before I get this file to the die guy to cut for me.. Bu the time I know enough about choosing the different airfoils my chance to have them laser cut will have passed..

I was hoping someone fluent in airfoils could say that airfoils X, Y and Z would be good generic ones to have on hand??

Of course then I still have to guess at what cord I would want them...???

With no other info I'll do like I said and make one flat bottom one symetrical,,, not sure what else?

Steve

Popriv,

Andy Lennon in his book Basics of R/C Model Aircraft Design, recommended Eppler airfoils.
These airfoils were developed for the low Reynolds number typical of model airplanes.

For aerobatics: E168 (Sharp stall) (also NACA 0012)

For sport: E197, E205 (Soft stall) (Semi-symmetrical)

For high lift and thermal sailplanes: E214 (Heavily cambered)

For gliders: E197, E222

For flying wings and deltas: E184, E230 (Reflexed camber)

You can find those and many more airfoils at this site:

http://www.profili2.com/eng/default.htm

Just select On-line Airfoils.
You can also print them or download them in a format compatible with what most of the laser cutters use.

Regards

I am a big fan of Profili. I just downloaded the DAT files for the Supra to my documents file on my PC then copied them into Profili. It has a feature specifically for making foam cutting templates. It allows for overhang for the wire, top and bottom patterns and you can print the coordination marks to keep the wire at the same place on both templates from the get go.
Its not free but its cheap enough aat round 18 bucks I think

More sophisticated airfoils designed for sailplanes can be downloaded directly from this site:

http://charlesriverrc.org/articles.htm

Some of those airfoils can be downloaded from Profili.

There is a free program that allows basic manipulation of airfoils.

The paid full program allows many useful things.

The best thing for me is that the huge selection of airfoil files is perfectly compatible with AutoCAD.

Great! thanks, just what I was looking for..


Steve

Here are the printouts of the airfoild you mentioned.
Its looks like a good start?

Steve

Good start.

The Clark Y can be used in gliders, and the NACA 0012 is another recommended symmetrical.

Thanks, I'm using the clark Y on my first wing cutting attempt.
Interesting to see all the airfoils together as I can start to see the differences.

Thanks again

You are welcome.

Don't forget to check the reference of Post #7 above.

I could help you with AutoCAD, if your laser cutter needs that format to prepare your template.

Best luck.