2D/3D Airfoil Models
Precision 2D and 3D airfoil shapes - that is what Pilot3D gives you. These shapes are accurate and smooth enough for direct numerical control (CNC) cutting; either 2D section cutting or 5-axis 3D shape milling. Other programs might give you access to 2D airfoil shapes, but only Pilot3D gives you the tools you need to check and correct problems to create accurate and smooth 3D airfoils.
Don't assume that airfoil data file shapes are clean and smooth! Most all of them need smoothing and fix-ups. If you want to CNC cut your airfoils, you need Pilot3D!
Pilot3D gives you both the standard NACA 4-digit series of airfoil shapes and the UIUC database of 1500+ airfoil shapes. (http://www.ae.uiuc.edu/m-selig/ads.html) These shapes can be read into Pilot3D and automatically curvefit. You can pick the location of the leading edge and then drag and stretch and rotate the trailing edge dynamically on the screen. Once defined, it is a simple process to use our curvature curve and fairing tools to smooth the foil to any level of accuracy - it takes only a minute or two. To create a full 3D airfoil, you can repeat this process for both the root and tip foil shapes and then skin a surface between the two. You can even add additional foil sections in the middle before skinning. If the 2D foil sections have been pre-smoothed, then you can be sure that the final 3D surface is smooth.
Wings - Propellers - Keels - Rudders - Sails - Hydrofoils - Rotors - Fans - Kites - Fins - Turbine Blades ... If you design ANY object that uses airfoils, you need Pilot3D!
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This is the Clarkz.dat airfoil from the UIUC database. It was input, curvefit and faired in just minutes.
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This is a 3D airfoil using the Clarkz airfoil from above. The 2D airfoil shape was copied, moved, and scaled to create the tip shape. Then the skin command was used to create the 3D airfoil. This took just a minute or two to complete.
These are some sections for the Clarkz 3D airfoil. They are smooth and ready for output to a CNC cutting machine. They took less than a minute to define and draw.
If you want smooth, accurate airfoils, you need Pilot3D!
Create a Correct 3D Model
Do you want to know what airfoil sections are used on a particular aircraft? See the The Incomplete Guide to Airfoil Usage (570 kB) compiled and maintained by Dave Lednicer. The guide includes a listing of what airfoils have been used on approximately 5500 aircraft. Most of these sections are provided in the UIUC airfoil database and included with Pilot3D for immediate use.