Last Updated: Jan 28, 2025

This guide will focus on the assembling process for Eclipse wings. This guide is based on the design iteration as of Jan 28, 2025so it may not apply to future iterations as the design changes. By the end of this guide, the wing should be assembled and look like the image above.

Required Materials/Tools:

• Balsa ribs:

  • Regular full length ribs

  • Shortened/modified aileron ribs

• 3D printed parts:

  • Spacers

  • LE and TE covers

  • GPS mount

  • Pitot mount

• Superglue:

  • In the tool chest, find any superglue (AKA cyanoacrylate)

• 200 and 400 grit sandpaper

Sanding the Ribs

Start by sanding the ribs with 200 grit sandpaper. All surfaces that mate with other parts (Eg. rib-to-rib, rib to 3D print, rib to ultracote) need at least a quick sanding with 200 grit to improve adhesion.

Surfaces that are more dimensionally critical, like the opening for the spar, need to be further sanded down with 400 grit until they fit. When sanding down for fit, make sure to do it slowly and with even pressure to prevent a change in geometry and to prevent overshooting.

After all parts are sanded, they should be dusted off and cleaned of any wood particulate. Test fit all parts at this stage to ensure they fit.

Sorting Parts

Due to the aileron and various design iterations of the wing, many parts like the spacers, LE/TE covers, and ribs are slightly different. To make manufacturing easier, parts have been marked with a number or letter to help you correspond them to the correct one in CAD when manufacturing. It is highly recommended to quickly run through and check all the parts before starting the assembly process. Make sure you have the Wing CAD open when assembling the parts to verify the parts as you assemble. You can find the wing assembly in WARG_CAD\Fixed Wing\Fixed Wing Design\Wings\FW_WINGS_A001_LEFT_WING. The left wing is most updated and correct. The right wing is the exact same but with the opposite end of the spar.

Assembling

Assembling will start with the left wing.

Open

This is the spar → Make sure to check which side has the mounting holes for the frame (right side). The left side is where the wing tip is

First Rib and Spacer

Open

This is probably one of the trickiest steps. Follow this order:

1. Glue the LE cover to the rib. Make sure to hold the parts together until they cure so they are oriented correctly.

2. Now the rib is ready to be glued onto the spar. Here it is important to make sure that you keep the rib as close as possible to the outer edge and flush with it. Glue around the square opening on the inside of the rib. No glue on the outer edge.

Subsequent Ribs and Spacers

The following pieces are pretty straightforward to glue. I recommend gluing in this order when possible:

1. Spacer to previous rib

2. Rib to spacer

3. Rib to LE cover

Only glue on a TE cover when there’s enough ribs to for it such that it is fully glued on.

There may be certain scenarios where you need to glue carefully. For example, when gluing the ribs for the servo, you may need to first glue the spacer then all 3 ribs and then the next spacer.

Don’t Assemble the Aileron

The wing needs to be wrapped in Ultracote before the aileron can be assembled.

When in Doubt

Always refer to the CAD. Numbers and letters have been inscribed into the 3D prints and ribs to ensure the correct parts are assembled and they should be referred to when unsure.

Completed Left Wing

In the end, this is what the finished wing frame should look like. Everything should be glued together.

Assembling Right Wing

To assemble the right wing, the same procedure should be followed. It is important to follow the CAD for this and go from wing tip to fuselage. The order of parts assembled from wing tip to fuselage is the same for both the left and right wing.