I am using the cloud CAD service ‘Onshape’ to produce the model of the third generation of the glider. This allows the design to be more open (all files are public and viewable at any stage during the design process) and more accessible (Onshape is free and does not require an expensive license, only an internet connection).

I'm going to produce parametric parts with dimensions that vary in accordance to local variables. The third generation of the glider will be designed so that the user can input values according to a test print and then all dimensions of the printed components would be adapted for the user’s printer, which would minimise post processing. Unfortunately Onshape does not let you specify global variables, (values that remain constant between different parts within an assembly), so I will design the glider within a single “Part studio” (A multipart assembly). If this is too complex (too many features in a single file), I will have to remove the parametric feature.

An example test piece is below and shows how a single piece would be able to determine the best values for a person's printer for dimensions such as the size of a hole for an M3 bolt through a wall.

A live version of the glider model can be found here and is updated automatically whenever I make an edit to the model.