Embedded
12/4/2023

Glider with Data Recorder and 3D Printed Wing

The glider was a university project to design and build a glider with a data recorder to measure flight characteristics. The glider was rail-launched, and was required to be as light as possible to maximise the flight time. The glider was designed in Solidworks, and the wing was 3D printed using a lightweight infill pattern. The wing was built on an aerodynamic profile, with trusses built along a frame to reduce the mass as much as possible. A foil was then heat-shrunk onto the wing to provide a smooth surface for aerodynamic efficiency.

The tail was built from laser-cut balsa wood and was designed to be removable for transport. The tail was connected to the fuselage using a carbon fibre rod to further reduce weight. The fuselage was wire-cut from styrofoam using laser cut acrylic profiles.

Glider with Data Recorder and 3D Printed Wing