Posting this to the forum in case anyone wants to consider this as a solution to GPS antenna windscreen glare. I have two GPS antennas that are mounted inside my tip-up canopy in my RV9-A. One is for the Skyview and the other one is for my GTN-650.
I've beeen flying with that annoying windshield glare from both white pucks for a while and from time to time I have considered painting both units flat black or putting a fabric cover wrap. There are mixed reviews on painting the Dynon and specifically called out not to paint the Garmin GPS unit.
Regardless, I wanted a solution that was not permanent and could be removed if I park on the ramp in the summer so that the GPS antennas don't absorb as much heat. I also wanted to be able to replace the cover if needed.
With all of that said, I picked up a 3D printer earlier this year and took a local tech school class in SolidWorks. With the free student edition available for EAA members I started considering projects to 3D Print.
A few weeks ago, I emailed the folks at Dynon and being their usual great customer support they posted their 3D model on their website.
The Dynon GPS antenna has compound curves and having their 3D model makes it very easy to create a shell in Solidworks.
I took a different approach to creating a shell with the Garmin GPS antenna. I just took the dimensions from their documentation and with a few
minor adjustments to the size, I create a model without compound curves.
Tried a few thicknesses of the shells and landed on 0.050in.
The printed models require supports so the pictures are right out of the printer without any sanding or prep. Since I printed using PLA vs. ABS I also spray painted the covers wtih flat black to give some UV protection.
I have not test flown with the covers on yet. Interested to see if putting a painted plastic shell on top of the Garmin GPS antenna vs. painting the unit directly (which is not recommended) has any effect. Another reason to make these removable if you are flying in IMC.
If you don't have a 3D printer there are numerous websites that will do the print for you as a service.
I've beeen flying with that annoying windshield glare from both white pucks for a while and from time to time I have considered painting both units flat black or putting a fabric cover wrap. There are mixed reviews on painting the Dynon and specifically called out not to paint the Garmin GPS unit.
Regardless, I wanted a solution that was not permanent and could be removed if I park on the ramp in the summer so that the GPS antennas don't absorb as much heat. I also wanted to be able to replace the cover if needed.
With all of that said, I picked up a 3D printer earlier this year and took a local tech school class in SolidWorks. With the free student edition available for EAA members I started considering projects to 3D Print.
A few weeks ago, I emailed the folks at Dynon and being their usual great customer support they posted their 3D model on their website.
The Dynon GPS antenna has compound curves and having their 3D model makes it very easy to create a shell in Solidworks.
I took a different approach to creating a shell with the Garmin GPS antenna. I just took the dimensions from their documentation and with a few
minor adjustments to the size, I create a model without compound curves.
Tried a few thicknesses of the shells and landed on 0.050in.
The printed models require supports so the pictures are right out of the printer without any sanding or prep. Since I printed using PLA vs. ABS I also spray painted the covers wtih flat black to give some UV protection.
I have not test flown with the covers on yet. Interested to see if putting a painted plastic shell on top of the Garmin GPS antenna vs. painting the unit directly (which is not recommended) has any effect. Another reason to make these removable if you are flying in IMC.
If you don't have a 3D printer there are numerous websites that will do the print for you as a service.
