Taper frames

graham_lock

Hi,

Is there a way to taper a frame?

I’m starting to use Onshape to design model radio controlled aircraft and I’d like to use frames for wing spars and fuselage longerons but I need to be able to taper them.

If it’s not possible I’ll revert to using lofts.

Thank you.

GregBrown

Update: I just revisited an old wing (RC glider) and used this technique on the upper and lower spars. Seems it is possible, but not sure I'd like to build it this way from balsa

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/a9f9f141240a2eaff8534193/w/e35e6dd85a7c672542e52b83/e/e304b1d8fd6e2103b00fe47b?explodedView=Mt3R9w+7Gl8aerPN7&renderMode=0&tangentEdgeStyle=1&leftPanel=false&uiState=6691d0e461ea570a9fc45449

GregBrown

The Frame feature (and Sweep feature) use a constant profile along the length of the frame so it is not possible to taper it in one shot. You can certainly add draft later as a separate feature, but this is going to be possible only for pretty basic cases - like a straight wing spar. I can't imagine that it would be possible to taper a longeron that follows a fuselage contour this way. A loft would be your best approach. 

GregBrown

Update: I just revisited an old wing (RC glider) and used this technique on the upper and lower spars. Seems it is possible, but not sure I'd like to build it this way from balsa

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/a9f9f141240a2eaff8534193/w/e35e6dd85a7c672542e52b83/e/e304b1d8fd6e2103b00fe47b?explodedView=Mt3R9w+7Gl8aerPN7&renderMode=0&tangentEdgeStyle=1&leftPanel=false&uiState=6691d0e461ea570a9fc45449

graham_lock

Thank you for this, I'll play with draft.