Routing and building RC models

[eurikain]

Hello,

Back a few years ago, I was a lot into RC model airplanes. Over the years I've kept all my electronics (motors, batteries, radio, etc.). I've got everything to build a nice plane. Plus, I've got a CNC now, so why not use it to make my own model :)

I think @routercnc does some RC planes with his CNC, but maybe other here do. I would like to know how you go about cutting them. Some may use balsa, some foam. When using foam, I guess the workflow is pretty simple: you download a model of the plane you want from a site like GrabCAD, then rescale it to fit your needs and then just program the CAM. But, what about working with balsa ? I've found some great plans, generally in PDF format, and would like to insert them into my CAD software in order to scale them and be able to program the CAM. I use SolidWorks and I know it's possible to import images, then draw sketches over the lines of the drawings, which afterwards would allow me to make every piece in 3d and assemble it nicely to make sur it fits together. But honestly, that would take me more than 40 hours of work, so I'm not too sure this is the easiest way.

How do you do it generally ?

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience :)

All the best,
G.