Today's wild idea... 3d-printed stick grip?

rmartingt · #1 01-21-2021, 07:55 AM

I've been trying to reach Infinity for a few days to place an order (their order form won't work right) to no avail. While running off another batch of dummy Skyview components so I can do some wiring, I had an idea... what about printing my own stick grips instead?

Obviously PLA is out as a material due to temperature concerns; PETG might work, as might ABS or nylon (though I have no experience with the latter two).

For sure, I think the biggest concern would be strength of the part for abuse cases (control jam loads), part of which could likely be mitigated by ensuring enough of the stick tube is contained in the grip.

On the plus side, I could get it configured exactly as I'd want and not be limited by number, type, or position of buttons--not that I want a bunch, but I do remember a Paul Dye Kitplanes article about the Shuttle stick grip and placement of the trim switch and it sort of stuck in my head.

Thoughts from the peanut gallery?

N40ES · #2 01-21-2021, 08:10 AM

"If you build it they will come" I like the idea of COLORFUL Grips. and matching pairs for co-pilot side? But not too many switches & buttons!

fl-mike · #3 01-21-2021, 08:54 AM

There is a guy (Paul Swearingen) doing printed throttle grips.

https://www.3dstickandrudder.com/

Aluminum · #4 01-21-2021, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmartingt

Thoughts from the peanut gallery?

This is me learning to Loft in Fusion360:
https://vansairforce.net/community/a...1&d=1611266279

PLA will melt in the sun under a closed canopy. Use ABS or ASA filaments. They can be smoothed with acetone vapor for a very professional-looking result. These weigh a small fraction of my injection-molded Tosten grips, yet they feel just as rigid.

For the next experiment I ordered a dual-head extruder to attempt a TPU skin on an ABS body, for a softer feel similar to the fancy rubberized grips. Stay tuned...

P.S. The tropical fruit printed real nice too.

Steve Melton · #5 01-21-2021, 08:52 PM

that is really cool! did you make it to perfectly fit your hand?

Saville · #6 01-21-2021, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fl-mike

There is a guy (Paul Swearingen) doing printed throttle grips.

https://www.3dstickandrudder.com/

That's a great site. I wonder if they would make a P-51D (they have the P-51A,B, and C version) throttle grip with a PTT.

Piper J3 · #7 01-21-2021, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aluminum

P.S. The tropical fruit printed real nice too.

You 3D printed the pineapple?

scrollF4 · #8 01-21-2021, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piper J3

You 3D printed the pineapple?

No, silly. The duck.

rocketbob · #9 01-21-2021, 11:34 PM

A few years back I was bored in a hotel on a work trip and wanted to learn how to use OnShape.

Click image for larger version

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https://cad.onshape.com/documents/15...8ecc93d9f8b807

The stick hole is parametric. Prints nicely on a resin printer.

Aluminum · #10 01-22-2021, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve Melton

that is really cool! did you make it to perfectly fit your hand?

Nah, just fooling around to learn how the Loft function works--it's addictive for us quantitative types to keep turning the knobs. This print does feel really nice in my hand, but the reality is that we hardly ever grip the whole stick in flight, usually only for a few tense moments when landing taildraggers.

That's why I left the long ledge on the bottom, to rest two fingers for steering with gentle pressure.

Fusion360 keeps everything in the "cloud". I'd be happy to share the design with the world but have no idea how to go about it. If someone can explain in a few sentences I'll try and put it up.