I hope to at least be able to adjust the 3 parameters of NACA airfoils and produce a mostly accurate solution, with a corresponding 3D model. Computational fluid dynamics(CFD) programs cost thousands of dollars for a reason. I don’t have the time or knowledge to create a full-fledged fluid simulation. My first project for this year is to make a simplified airfoil simulation, giving lift, and possibly drag. You can specify the 4-digits for a NACA airfoil: maximum camber, camber position, and maximum thickness. It is then located under Add>Mesh>NACA Airfoil.
This script is an add-on, so you can easily install it in the Add-Ons sections of the User Preferences. I even have the object’s name dynamically change depending on the options specified. It was actually quite simple, because Blender took care of replacing the object with the new one. I originally thought it would require some rigorous event handling, object deletion, and creation. I was very impressed by how well the Action>Settings flow worked, and how easy it was to have the object updated when the settings were changed. Other than that, I haven’t created any utilities for Blender. I’ve done plenty of game engine scripting, and I once made a very simple script in Blender that added a curve. This was my first “real” script in Blender. I eventually got that sorted out, and was able to start writing the script in Python. It took me some time to get the calculations right, because there was some calculus involved with mapping the thickness distribution to the camber line.
I haven’t given an update in awhile, but I’ve been working diligently on it. This will ensure I know what gets cut and glued before I start hacking wood.
As the saying goes, “Measure twice, cut once”. To help this, I’m modeling the entire structure in Blender before I start actually making it with balsa. I’m going to make an RC plane from plans. Since I’m working on acquiring hardware, I’ve also started another project. They have 8kg-cm of torque, so I’m guessing around a 12″ range, but I haven’t done the calculations and designed the structure yet, so I could be off. I’ve also picked out and ordered the servos.
I’ve done it several times on Windows and it’s quite simple, but Mac doesn’t play as nice with Python. After it is completed it could open up some fun possibilities with animation.Īs to the progress of it, I’m working on getting pyserial accessed through Blender. I think it will be a good challenge integrating Blender with the Arduino. I plan on using an Arduino for controlling four RC servos. I felt like doing something with integrating hardware and the computer. Multi-page print.After I finished my airfoil generator, I needed to think of something new. Plot a mirror image about horizontal axis 200% is doubleĪdjust the position of the origin e.g. Thickness adjustment.100% is normal thickness. Radius of camber in millimetres, Zero for no curve Any missing or invalid data will be ignored so check the information was entered correctly. Paste in the dat file data from the University of Illinois database or use the form below to preview and get the files. Large plots can be printed over multiple pages.Ĭhoose from list or select "Enter coordinates"