What affects the frame
Sheet thickness, arm geometry, holes, motor zones, reinforcement direction and cutting quality all affect the result.
Short answer: Choose the material by the part function, not by thickness alone.
How to choose thickness
Thin parts reduce mass but are more sensitive to fasteners and impact. Thicker parts improve stability but increase weight.
Short answer: Thickness is useful only when the geometry and load path are known.
What to send
Send a DXF frame file, thickness target or stiffness requirement, quantity, aircraft type and critical holes.
Short answer: Clear request data reduces quote time and prevents wrong assumptions.
Decision table
| Geometry | Arms, center plate and motor zones are checked separately. |
|---|---|
| Thickness | Selection depends on span, holes, mass and repairability. |
| Cutting | Clean 1:1 DXF contours reduce delays for a small batch. |
What to prepare for a quote
- DXF frame or arm file at 1:1 scale
- target thickness or stiffness requirement
- aircraft type, motor zones, holes and quantity
- whether repeatability or one-off cutting is required