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Expermental Aircraft Design Collaboration

Question asked by Danny Creech on Jul 27, 2013
Latest reply on Feb 16, 2018 by Dan Pihlaja

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I am an aircraft designer putting one of my three designs into SolidWorks so that I can run the load testing on it before I build it.

I know very little about how to work in the environment of a CAD program. I have used advanced programs like Photo Shop on regular bases. I thought that program was hard to learn. I can see that SolidWorks makes learning Photo Shop child's play.

So, I am turning to all of you for advice. I'm not even sure what part I should start drawing first (wing spar, propeller, etc.).

So, if there are any of you that want to help me get started with this, I am looking for those of you who either know SolidWorks really well and enjoy aviation or those of you who are Aeronautical Engineers.

My design is a good bit outside of the standard “Spam Can” aircraft design. Mine will have interchangeable wings. The idea is simple but making it a reality is a good bit more complicated due to tail control loads at high speed. Fortunatly, I have figured out 95% of the design issues.

I am an American living and working in the Philippines. Time zone UTC +8.

Anyone who wants to offer your assistance in getting this project into SolidWorks, your help will be most appreciated.

Contact me directly at dannycreech@yahoo.com

Best Regards,

Captain Danny Creech

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Rommel Castro Mar 6, 2014 6:11 PM

I'm learning the software and also really like aviation, the way has been researching and try to learn to be able to develop new ideas.

Perhaps the link I collected can be very simple, most believe it is to start early and illustrative.

Good luck,

Rommel Castro.

email: rommel.augusto@gmail.com.br

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnscehddUImCCftz7RMZICHGGLF9ELcry

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Dave Christensen Mar 7, 2014 4:12 PM

Mr. Creech,

If you already know the following functions and tools, I am not attempting to insult you. From your initial post, I am assuming you are starting from square one on the basics, and I am merely attempting to be helpful as far as the program functions are concerned.

I would say it would be worth your time to investigate using the Sheet Metal tools after you have mastered the basic extruded boss/base, extruded cut, hole wizard, fillet, linear pattern, mirror pattern, and reference geometry functions.

Cheers,

-Dave

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Danny Creech Feb 16, 2018 11:22 AM

I am still looking for someone to help me with my design. As an update I am no longer living in the Philippines. I am now back working in the USA.

Thanks,

Danny

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Steve Calvert @ Danny Creech on Feb 16, 2018 1:33 PM

Danny, as a user group leader in central Texas, I am wanting to get more involved with my local EAA chapter 187 by going to their meetings and having them come to mine The idea is to have them show off their work using Solidworks and we would help them teach the software.

There's a little learning curve and as Dan has suggested, go through the tutorials or thru youtube to see other more advanced stuff.

Good luck

Steve C

BTW, my dad was a member in 187 back when Tony Bingelis was here. What a great gentleman.

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Dan Golthing Feb 16, 2018 1:13 PM

Danny, there is a learning curve to learning SolidWorks. Step one is to go through as many tutorials as you can. YouTube is a good source of help.

It should NOT be difficult to learn for someone who's brain is in line with this type of work. I taught myself on a bootleg copy almost 20 years ago. It was a snap. Over the years my technique has improved greatly, but I never found it difficult to learn.

Here's the big problem now, there is way more stuff in SolidWorks than there used to be. I can see this as overwhelming to the new user. Also, if you have no CAD background, you truly are starting from scratch. For instance, if you come from AutoCAD 2D design, you will at least have a strong understanding of 2D sketching, which is the starting point to learn SolidWorks.

If SolidWorks would just have an option for "LEARNING MODE" that turns off all the bells and whistles, I think the learning process would be much more pleasant for newbies. Then when you are comfortable, you could turn it all back on.

Why SolidWorks? Did you get a military student version? Because I'm thinking you may be happier with Onshape.

The other thing you mention is the "load testing" of the airplane. Do you mean running Finite Element Analysis? In this case, do you have any background in Stress Analysis? If not, I would be very cautious using the tool that is unfortunately promoted unethically to anyone that can press buttons. The software is very complex, and achieving a proper result is beyond most people's capabilities. Just because you get a result does not mean that it is a correct result. The process still requires the ability to classically calculate expected results in order to verify that the software is working properly. I can't tell you all the various conditions that you may assume the software works but it doesn't.

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Dan Pihlaja Feb 16, 2018 3:05 PM

One of the best resources for Solidworks (in my opinion) is the built-in tutorials. The biggest problem, however, is that no one does them.

Also, you might get more information here:

Some very important steps if you are a NEW FORUM USER....

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6 Replies

Rommel Castro Mar 6, 2014 6:11 PM
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I'm learning the software and also really like aviation, the way has been researching and try to learn to be able to develop new ideas.

Perhaps the link I collected can be very simple, most believe it is to start early and illustrative.

Good luck,

Rommel Castro.
email: rommel.augusto@gmail.com.br

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnscehddUImCCftz7RMZICHGGLF9ELcry
Like • Show 1 Like1
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Dave Christensen Mar 7, 2014 4:12 PM
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Correct Answer
Mr. Creech,

If you already know the following functions and tools, I am not attempting to insult you. From your initial post, I am assuming you are starting from square one on the basics, and I am merely attempting to be helpful as far as the program functions are concerned.

I would say it would be worth your time to investigate using the Sheet Metal tools after you have mastered the basic extruded boss/base, extruded cut, hole wizard, fillet, linear pattern, mirror pattern, and reference geometry functions.

Cheers,
-Dave
Like • Show 1 Like1
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Danny Creech Feb 16, 2018 11:22 AM
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I am still looking for someone to help me with my design. As an update I am no longer living in the Philippines. I am now back working in the USA.

Thanks,
Danny
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- Steve Calvert @ Danny Creech on Feb 16, 2018 1:33 PM
  Mark Correct
  Correct Answer
  Danny, as a user group leader in central Texas, I am wanting to get more involved with my local EAA chapter 187 by going to their meetings and having them come to mine The idea is to have them show off their work using Solidworks and we would help them teach the software.
  
  There's a little learning curve and as Dan has suggested, go through the tutorials or thru youtube to see other more advanced stuff.
  
  Good luck
  
  Steve C
  
  BTW, my dad was a member in 187 back when Tony Bingelis was here. What a great gentleman.
  Like • Show 1 Like1
  Actions
Dan Golthing Feb 16, 2018 1:13 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
Danny, there is a learning curve to learning SolidWorks. Step one is to go through as many tutorials as you can. YouTube is a good source of help.

It should NOT be difficult to learn for someone who's brain is in line with this type of work. I taught myself on a bootleg copy almost 20 years ago. It was a snap. Over the years my technique has improved greatly, but I never found it difficult to learn.

Here's the big problem now, there is way more stuff in SolidWorks than there used to be. I can see this as overwhelming to the new user. Also, if you have no CAD background, you truly are starting from scratch. For instance, if you come from AutoCAD 2D design, you will at least have a strong understanding of 2D sketching, which is the starting point to learn SolidWorks.

If SolidWorks would just have an option for "LEARNING MODE" that turns off all the bells and whistles, I think the learning process would be much more pleasant for newbies. Then when you are comfortable, you could turn it all back on.

Why SolidWorks? Did you get a military student version? Because I'm thinking you may be happier with Onshape.

The other thing you mention is the "load testing" of the airplane. Do you mean running Finite Element Analysis? In this case, do you have any background in Stress Analysis? If not, I would be very cautious using the tool that is unfortunately promoted unethically to anyone that can press buttons. The software is very complex, and achieving a proper result is beyond most people's capabilities. Just because you get a result does not mean that it is a correct result. The process still requires the ability to classically calculate expected results in order to verify that the software is working properly. I can't tell you all the various conditions that you may assume the software works but it doesn't.
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions
Dan Pihlaja Feb 16, 2018 3:05 PM
Mark Correct
Correct Answer
One of the best resources for Solidworks (in my opinion) is the built-in tutorials. The biggest problem, however, is that no one does them.

Also, you might get more information here:
Some very important steps if you are a NEW FORUM USER....
Like • Show 1 Like1
Actions

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