RC GIANT SCALE
HORIZON HOBBY
SPEKTRUM
iX14 RADIO
By Sal Calvagna | rcgiants@optonline.net
WELCOME BACK. We’re in the middle of summer and hopefully a great modeling season. Featured here are two relatively new offerings from Spektrum and an AMA member who fabricates his own Giant Scale tires. I hope you enjoy.
Spektrum iX14
A few years back, Spektrum came out with the iX12 transmitter, followed by the iX20. Both are popular and are often seen at contest-level events. The iX12 is sadly no longer available, but the iX14 has been introduced as the perfect intelligent transmitter for intermediate- to advanced-level model aircraft and pilots.
The transmitter has an incredible 250-model memory and a 10,500 mAh battery pack. All 14 channels are fully proportional and there are four sequencers and 16 programmable mixes. The sticks have been moved farther to the sides of the transmitter for better stick handling and feature contactless, precision Hall effect gimbal sensors. Additionally, the radio comes with a handy transmitter case.
Following is a list of its attributes:
- Comfortable, nonslip rubber grips.
- Contactless, precision gimbal sensors.
- Adjustable stick length and travel range.
- User-adjustable mode configurations (Modes 1, 2, 3, or 4).
- Customizable switch assignments.
- The 4.5-inch, full-color, easy-to-read iX14 touchscreen interface provides information in crisp, clear detail and allows you to make precise setting changes with just a tap. It cold-boots from the off position in less than 90 seconds and wakes from sleep in 10 seconds or less. Because this is a fully functional Android interface, it will work with an evolving list of apps from the Google Play store.
- 14 channels at a 22ms frame rate allow the iX14 to be used with high-performance jet aircraft.
- Fast, Android-powered touchscreen interface.
- Full-color, easy-to-read screen.
- Compatible with Smart technology out of the box.
- Includes the latest upgrades to the Smart dashboard.
- Superb ergonomics for hours of comfortable setup and flying.
- Includes smooth, contactless, precision gimbals and speech-to-text functionality through wired headsets.
- USB-C port allows charging the 10,500 mAh 1S Li-Ion transmitter battery with the included magnetic USB cable and magnetic USB-C adapter.
- Programming for airplanes, helicopters, sailplanes, and multirotors.
The price for the Spektrum iX14 DSMX transmitter is $899.99 through Horizon Hobby.
Fabricating 3D Tires
Club member and good friend Jim McQueen, of Wading River, New York, has been fabricating parts and accessories for Giant Scale models using his inexpensive Creality Ender 3D printer for the last few years. He’s been the go-to guy for cockpit detail, cylinder heads, exhaust pipes, etc.
Jim recently had difficulty locating suitable tires for his Giant Scale model. Using his experience with the 3D printer, he decided to fabricate his own tires. He currently uses the Fusion 360 CAD program, but any CAD program would work as well.
For a little background, there are many types of filaments that can be used for 3D printing. Additionally, there are even more choices within a type. The following are some of the popular filaments used.
- Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) is a material you likely touch every day without realizing it. Used in mass quantities to create water bottles and coffee shop takeout cups, PETG is one of the most widely used thermoplastics on the planet, thanks to its natural clarity and the ease of recycling and reuse.
As a 3D-printing filament, PETG has good thermal resistance and mechanical strength, on top of being the go-to material for any translucent colors because
natural PETG is almost entirely clear.
- Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) 3D printer filament brings the best of raw strength and temperature resistance to create a reliable, tough material. You should use ABS for car interior parts, such as phone mounts and cup holders, as well as cosplay props that need sanding and finishing. ABS is the material of choice for its rigidity and temperature resilience, making it a great material for the printer parts themselves.
- Polylactic acid (PLA) is stronger and stiffer than ABS, but poor heat-resistance properties mean PLA is mostly a hobbyist’s material. ABS is weaker and less rigid but tougher and lighter, making it better for prototyping applications.
- Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filament is a popular choice for 3D-printing enthusiasts who want to create flexible and durable objects. TPU filament is great for a variety of applications that require flexibility, durability, and impact resistance.
Jim used a TPU material called MattFlex 40D. The ability to stretch up to six times and a 50% compression, combined with high-impact strength and chemical and temperature resistance, make it a versatile material for Giant Scale tires. The rims were purchased from Sierra Giant Scale. The pictured infill (honeycomb) is 40% and can be changed to suit the weight of the model.
A download will be available on RCScaleBuilder.com in the future. The glue used to join the tire halves was Loctite 406, and the current sizes are 5.5 inches and 7 inches.
That’s all for this month. Take care, have fun, and fly safely.
SOURCES:
Spektrum RC
www.spektrumrc.com
Horizon Hobby
www.horizonhobby.com
Creality
cs@creality.com
www.creality.com
3DJake
global@3djake.com
www.3djake.com
Sierra Giant Scale, LLC
(440) 476-4885
www.sierragiant.com
RCScaleBuilder.com
www.rcscalebuilder.com
