Handcopter

Edit 19/02 :

1. I've reworked the propellers in a way that they print easier: no support, no overhang, no brim required, even 0.2mm layer height is fine, quicker print time, …
   • Note that the downside is that it won't liftoff as much (but still manage to stay in the air a bit). If you're looking for higher throw, look at the original one.
2. I've added the “hole” file, in case you want to create your own propellers (see notes below)
   • Also adding two remix and marked them as such from toroidal models
     • You should definitely try the remixed toroidal version I added based on Meister Edel model, don't forget to support his entry too for the constest.

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I created this model for the "Make It Fly" contest hosted here on Printables. It consist of an assembly of two pieces: one rod and one propeller, no glue required.

Once the rod is inserted into the propeller, you spin it between your two hands to make it fly.
The faster you make it spin the higher/furthest it can go. If you incline it a bit it will trade height for longer distance. Have fun!

Left hand goes: away from you to closer to you
Right hand goes: close to you to away from you

Warnings

Even if it's a toy I must give the following warnings:

• It's not a drone, but ropellers that spin fast can really hurt
• Spinning in the opposite direction will probably hurt your fingers/hands if propeller hits them
• Do not aim it at someone, especially nead head/eyes
• You should probably use it outside (to not break anything inside)

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Settings for rod

• Rod:
  • Layer height: 0.20mm is fine, but you can get more precise with 0.16mm (it shouldn't add that much time).
  • Infill: It needs to be robust, I've used 50% with gyroid pattern
  • Build plate adhesion: has the surface area is small and spread across 20cm you might want to add a brim (not mandatory if your bed adhesion is fine usually)
  • Other:
    • Model has a flatter side for you to print more easily, no support required
    • Wait for the part to fully cooldown before removing it from build plate, in order for it to be as straight as possible.

Settings for “wings” propellers

• Advice:
  • Printing them should be pretty easy has all the bottom area is in contact with the bed
      
• Propellers (new/wing):
  • Layer height:
    • You can print at 0.20mm
    • Going lower at 0.16mm or 0.12mm would give you a better wing shape and might improve your flight distance
    • Going higher can probably be done if you want to print it faster and don't mind losing some flight distance, 0.28mm should work (not sure for 0.32mm)
  • Infill: I went with 15% with lines pattern as this time the infill is along all the propeller and not just the center. It will make it a bit robust in case you hit something while flying. Even at this infill total wait is about 8gr for the 2-blades and 15gr for the 4-blades
  • Other:
    • If possible try to orient the piece either on the X or Y axis. If not possible (ie. you use a smaller printer and the part doesn't fit your buildplate) try to rotate it by 45° to fit it diagonally.
    • Wait for the part to fully cooldown before removing, even more important here for the propeller

Settings for “blades” propellers

• Advices:
  • You could manage to print without support if your printer was a bit tuned, but the overhang is pretty steep. Try to print slower in case you want to try without.
  • Difficulty is more likely to come from bed adhesion here. Using a brim might be almost mandatory.
• Propellers (old):
  • Layer height: the lower you can get the better (especially if you're going without support), I've manage to do it at 0.16mm and 0.12mm (the last was better).
  • Infill: I went with 15% with gyroid pattern, no need to go higher than that as it's only for the center part which is already robust (no need to add unecessary weight here).
  • Other:
    • Same as wings propellers, see above

Advices for “custom” propellers

• Hole:
  • The hole file allows you to create your own propellers. Simply substract this shape to your creation and you will be able to fit the rod printed here.
• Other:
  • The shape is provided with an height of 10mm, but you can shrink its size (Z not XY) if your custom propeller is slimmer
  • I would recommend your overall blade lenght to be 20mm and start with two blades/wings but you might want to experiment different lenght and shapes. Have fun!