Print, build and fly

The same method for every LayerWings plane. Each plane's page has its exact numbers.

1 · Printer and filament

Any FDM printer with a 220 × 220 mm bed and 250 mm height. Use LW-PLA (foaming, lightweight PLA) for skins and normal PLA or PETG for the strong parts: motor mount, joiner sleeve, servo frames and control horns.

2 · LW-PLA settings (starting point)

0.4 mm nozzle, 0.6 mm line width, one wall, 0 % infill, no top or bottom layers on wing sections. 230–240 °C for foaming, flow about 45–55 %, part fan low, travel with retraction off to avoid clogs. Print a test cube and weigh it: tune the flow until the wall is about 0.5–0.6 mm.

3 · Wings: shells and two tubes

Glue the wing sections together with thin CA, using the alignment keys. Slide the front and rear carbon tubes through the printed channels and glue them at each section. There are no ribs to place.

4 · Body and tail

Glue the fuselage sections on a flat table so the body stays straight. Push the joiners through the root stubs, slide the stab halves onto their two rods and key the fin into its slot.

5 · Electronics

Follow the wiring diagram on the plane's page. ArduPlane default channels: S1 aileron left, S2 elevator, S3 throttle, S4 rudder, S5 aileron right (SERVO5_FUNCTION = 4).

6 · CG and first flight

Balance the plane at the CG mark from the drawing by moving the battery in its bay. Check control directions, set the throws from the spec table, range-check, then hand-launch firmly into the wind in MANUAL or FBWA.