Jan 1, 2011
With the table level to provide a good platform for match drilling of the horizontal stablizer, the layout of the ribs and spars are printed on segments of 8-1/2″ x 14″ paper. Two reasons for this. I don’t have a large plotter and the one we’ve used at work for some tests does not reliably produce CAD plots in the down web direction. We understand this to be somewhat normal behavior for plotters as they wear and/or accumulate debris from use. It may be that good full size plots could be produced but that is a project all in itself and using my home laser printer to generate segments (that are very accurate in their small size) and then laying them out and anchoring to the table seems to be an easy way to achieve the same thing.
- Layout sheets taped to the table in position for match drilling componentsI used AutoCad to generate the layout sheets because I am familiar with it but just about any CAD program would work. I should try Google Sketch sometime as I suspect it could easily handle a simple task such as this.
- Once the table is level and the layout is put in place the piece can be held in place with blocks screwed to the table and clamps. After checking each location and alignment of ribs multiple times the components are match drilled in place.
