Converting DXF Wing Designs to DAT Airfoil Coordinates: DXF2DAT

foam wing to create DXF to DAT

DXF2DAT

A common question is How do I import my dxf wing design into something like DevWing Foam or one of the free g-code wing programs?

First, I would ask yourself if you need to use a DXF file. I have rarely needed to do that. Several aerofoil data resources can be used for RC-model aircraft. I start all my Wing designs in DevWing Foam with some basic dimensions and then pick an aerofoil that is well known to produce a good flying model. Popular choices include Clark-y, NACA2412 and MH45. You’ll find the data for these in many places, including here https://m-selig.ae.illinois.edu/ads/coord_database.html

Don’t try to reinvent the wheel. But there may be some projects where you need to get a DXF file into DevWing Foam or one of the free programs.

So why would you want to do that?

Here are a few reasons

  • You have an RC model aircraft and need a replacement wing that isn’t available and you have no idea of the aerofoil used.
  • You have a plan for a traditional balsa build and need the aerofoil used to design your wing I did this with my Hawker Hurricane.
  • Converting an STL file of a 3d printed wing to produce a foam or balsa wing

In this article, I’ll explain how to make a longer-span wing for my Volantex Ranger 1600. You can buy a 2m wing for the Ranger but I thought it would be an interesting project, and the process could be helpful to others.

Process Overview

There are several steps to this, and you’ll need some free software

The basic idea is that we use an image to create a DXF drawing of our airfoil and wing plan and then use the software I’ve developed to turn the DXF into a DAT file used by software like DevWing Foam 2 or DevWing

The DXF file must only contain 2 splines, one for the upper profile and one for the lower. The process will fail if you create more or use anything other than splines.

A DAT file is a series of x and y coordinates in a special format to create the airfoil

a typical DAT file


Process Overview

The video linked shows the whole process with the steps listed below.

  • Take photos of the wing root and plan with a ruler for scale
  • Import the image into your favourite CAD software
  • Calibrate the image
  • Create splines from the image.
  • Save as DXF
  • Run the program DXFtoDAT
  • Run through XLFR to apply some final adjustments.
  • Import the DAT file to DevWing Foam or other software
  • Import the image of the wing plan and calibrate
  • Add extra options like spars 
  • Generate g-code
  • Test cut.
YouTube player

The download of the DXF to DAT program

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DXFtoDAT 4.00 KB 2371 downloads

If you have Windows 11 and it does not work make sure you have Install .NetFramework…
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xflr5 application used to finalise airfoil https://sourceforge.net/projects/xflr5/files/

Command Line Version

If you’re having trouble with the Windows app, try using the command-line version.

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DXFtoDAT Command Line 21.96 MB 897 downloads

This is the command line version. The Windows app is just a front end to this. Just…
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Conclusion

This process worked well for me, and if you follow the rules for creating the DXF, you should be able to achieve the same results. If you have any questions, send a message via the contact page.

Happy foam cutting

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