LohringMiller
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2017
- Messages
- 953
One of the first things I printed were sponsons for my P limited rigger. The great thing about 3D printing is that changes are easy so it's fun to experiment. For boat parts like these, adding perimeters with a low density three dimensional infill gives strong parts. My last efforts used 4 perimeters with 10% gyroid infill. I think even more perimeters with 5% infill would work and give an even lighter structure. PLA will never have the strength to weight of an epoxy/glass cover over a foam core. However, it's good enough for experiments. If you are happy with the result, it's easy to convert the form into female molds for epoxy/glass layup.
To do all this you need to learn a 3D modeling program. Fusion 360 is the most capable free program I know of. It will take at least a year of working with it to get proficient if you start from scratch. However, even old dogs can learn new tricks, so don't give up. Youtube has some great tutorials. Below are a few of the first examples of my sponsons. Next will be really accurate Merlin models.
Lohring Miller
To do all this you need to learn a 3D modeling program. Fusion 360 is the most capable free program I know of. It will take at least a year of working with it to get proficient if you start from scratch. However, even old dogs can learn new tricks, so don't give up. Youtube has some great tutorials. Below are a few of the first examples of my sponsons. Next will be really accurate Merlin models.
Lohring Miller