Ultralight Palm Glider, 10.8 grams flyable; 37cm wingspan; V6 version

It took six iterations to achieve satisfaction, and now both the exterior lines and flight performance are close to perfection

The nose adopts a modular design, making it convenient to replace noses with different counterweights. It also uses TPU for cushioning, allowing it to withstand impacts in environments like the living room.

It can be scaled freely; it has been tested at 1.5x magnification with excellent performance.

Tools:

• Requires CA glue like 502 for adhesion
• A sharp utility knife and flush cutters are best for cleaning up imperfections

Materials:

• The main body is printed with foamed PLA using the maximum foaming rate
• For the nose, I used Fusrock foamed TPU; if using ordinary TPU 95A, the hardness will be too high, lacking a cushioning effect. Although the nose won't break, a strong impact might damage the fuselage. Also, the nose might be too heavy, requiring tail counterweight for balanced flight.
• Heavier manufacturing methods, such as directly printing with PLA PETG, are not recommended. Even with a 0.2 nozzle, the weight will exceed 15g. I've tested it, and it's basically unflyable, with a launch success rate less than 20%.

Tuning:

• The parameters for foamed TPU have been precisely set, but individual results may vary. Therefore, there are three nose weights, approximately 1.34~1.45g each.
• Adjust the nose weight according to your needs and test flights. You can adjust the print infill or insert items into the nose.

Scalability:

• Can be scaled up for play. I tested a 1.5x magnification with excellent results. However, you'll need to adjust infill and other settings yourself, especially for the tail boom, which becomes softer and less crash-resistant when scaled up. The nose also needs its weight re-calibrated.
• Looking forward to someone making an extra-large version