Poll
Question:
also... in what order do you apply/install graphics and electronics?
Option 1: cut holes + install electronics, apply designs, laminate over
Option 2: apply designs, laminate over, cut holes + install electronics, tape or laminate over components
Option 3: laminate wing, cut holes + install equipment, apply design to laminate
Option 4: other
Having just ordered my FlyingWings Falcon EVO FPV, I want to see how most of you guys do your laminating. This isn't a general "how does one laminate a wing?" it's more a case of "in what order"....
I'll start off by telling you how I'm planning to do mine (currently just ideas stage in my head lol)
1. laminate each wing
2. laminate each elevon
3. attach elevon to wing
4. glue laminated wings to centre section
5. figure out component placement
6. cut recesses, place components
7. apply vinyl styling shapes to cover components
But in the past I've seen people do it in all sorts of orders, including gluing it all together and only laminating once all the electronics are installed.
How have YOU done it on YOUR wings?
I have only built one plane. But laminating was the very last thing I did. Laminate sticks quite well but as soon as you start cutting around it can peel off. If you cut holes and grooves out this may cause the lam to peel.
Also I install most electronics in first. Servos, wires, AV wires, Rx wires etc. Fit removeable connections so it's easy to swap out the video Tx etc.
I've only used laminate on 1 plane so far, but I laminated before cutting. My basis for this was that the laminate itself weighs something, so in order to decide where I wanted to cut, I needed the get all the equipment laid out after the lamination to balance it all out properly. I didn't get any issues with peeling - but maybe I got lucky
fit all components in wings like servos, wires, rx's tx's, then lam wings, then elevons, attach, then build the rest.....
test first. something just hotter than silk on my wifes iron works for flyinwing foam
I cut holes and run wires first, then when I lam I fold it in to the cut out to make a nice clean edge.
Ive lammed so much stuff I cant even count it. ;D
Laminate is the last thing I do after all electronics are tested and fit in foam.
Then you can cover them nicely servos,receiver etc:. anyting that don't need airflow, that way You can keep wing profile as clean as possible, which is adequate to low amp. cruise speed etc:.
If the Falcon is like the Venturi then I fitted all the electronics and tested them, then laminated each wing leaving a flap over the spar slot. You can then run glue into the spar slot and rotate the wing as the spar goes in and attach to the centre section. You then finish off the laminate over the spar slots. I've done two Evos this way and the finish is really good.
After everything is together you then attach the vinyl graphics on top of the vinyl, it sticks really well.
Quote from: iPeel on April 15, 2015, 08:15:44 AM
After everything is together you then attach the vinyl graphics on top of the vinyl, it sticks really well.
that's what I'm thinking too... I've had nothing but trouble trying to get anything to stick to EPP lol, thought it better to stick vinyls/stickers on top of the lam
Quote from: BlueFlyer on April 15, 2015, 12:55:20 PM
Quote from: iPeel on April 15, 2015, 08:15:44 AM
After everything is together you then attach the vinyl graphics on top of the vinyl, it sticks really well.
that's what I'm thinking too... I've had nothing but trouble trying to get anything to stick to EPP lol, thought it better to stick vinyls/stickers on top of the lam
Lol, glad you understood what I was on about, I meant vinyl on the laminate not vinyl on vinyl!
I've got a laminate cutter which makes things handy, but if you want to work with block of colour, I find this stuff excellent quality:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251044096270?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=550124872651&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251044096270?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&var=550124872651&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)
It's pretty easy stuff to work with and transfers quite well with masking tape.
I've already ordered this in the two colours I'm incorporating into my wing's design
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320851154989 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320851154989)
My aim is to glue/tape/lam.... then attempt to make it look a bit prettier with some well placed vinyl shapes I'll cut using my craft knive and metal ruler.
Stone Blue Airlines did a pretty good laminate tip video yesterday that is well worth watching...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPlD17yj3ow#ws (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPlD17yj3ow#ws)