AW139 Heli Collective Grip

This page is split into three main sections:

Parts Guide

Print Guide

Build Guide

The ultimate printer I can recommend is the Bamboo Labs X1 carbon with AMS if you have deep pockets. ($1200). It's a massive leap forward in 3D printing, with excellent quality and impressive speeds. Its pretty much press print and go as the software and hardware do the calibration before each print. This printer will not manage the larger parts and you are going to need the CREALITY CR10 v3, which is my second choice of printer.

This has to be one of my favourite designs to date. After working on helicopters for over 28 years, I often wondered how to reproduce the controls to make them realistic. The hardest part that any Helipilot has tried is to replicate the magnetic clutch.

I have used a stepper motor (standard Nema 17) as the mag brake, Parallel actuator, Beep trim and later on the autopilot drive unit (series Actuator).

This is NOT a force-feedback unit because helicopters do not operate like that. The control rods/cables are typically connected to servos. Due to the astronomical forces required to move the controls (between 3-20 tonnes), there are no feedback forces through the servos/controls. This is usually done by linear force feel units (springs) acting on a parallel actuator which can reset the datum point at any position. This is the purpose of the Stepper motor in this case. Most modern twin-engined rotorcraft are uncontrollable if full hydraulic servo power is lost.

This system replicates the Bell 212 cyclic forces with force trim in. Most pilots I know on the 212 like to hover, take off and land with force trim off. This makes the cyclic go completely floppy and makes controlling the aircraft easier for more extended periods of time, such as winching.

To increase the force of the cyclic, stronger springs can be added to the force feel units for those preferring a more robust resistance feel. The forces this particular cyclic replicates is that of the Bell 212HP.

This unit comes with the following:

1) A trim release switch beep trim top hat.

2) A cargo release button (not used yet but is connected).

3) An ICS/Transmit dual point trigger (not connected)

4) AFCS release button (Connected but not used yet)

At the moment, The cyclic can be repositioned in any neutral position using the trim release. Once the button is released, the cyclic will hold that position and force feel is enabled. Fine-tuning the cyclic position electrically can be used by trimming the Beep switch top hat in the direction required.

I have included a highly detailed Bell 212 cyclic grip. If you have a resin printer, I recommend using this for a smooth finish. For those that do not have access to a resin printer, I might be able to produce them for you at a cost, but this will be a limited quantity due to the time they take.

Please note: I have made the cyclic fitting 25mm so it will fit most aircraft grips, both rotary and fixed-wing. So if you have another type, it should be interchangeable.

There is no complicated software involved, just Mobiflight, and I soon hope to issue the exact file, so you do not have to programme anything. This unit replicates a standard PC joystick, using a Leo Bodnar card to keep things simple. This means it can be used on XP, DCS, P3D and MSFS!

I hope this puts a smile on your face like it did so many at the EXPO in Lelystad, including real-life pilots!

Pre-release right now while I construct the Build/Print and parts guide, which will be added here (if you want to start printing:

The build guide and components list can be found here:

https://www.737diysim.com/build-guides-1/bell-212-heli-cyclic

Parts Guide:

You are going to need the following items to complete this build:

Click Image for Link	Component	Description	Qty

Print Guide

AW1 Faceplate Embossed for 3D printing

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.2mm

NOTE: This text is small! I may not print. If you would like a laser-etched faceplate, please get in touch with me.

ETC: 9 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW4B SW CAP for 3d printing

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.2mm

NOTE: This text is small! I may not print. If you would like a laser-etched faceplate, please get in touch with me.

ETC: 1 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW8 Coll Nav Top Hat

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.2mm

ETC: 1 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW12 & AW13 Button

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.2mm

ETC: 1 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW17 Collective Grip LH

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.12mm
ETC: 11 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW2 SW BP DBL

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.3mm

ETC: 1 Hour

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW5 SW Cap 3d print

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.2mm

NOTE: This text is small! I may not print. If you would like a laser-etched faceplate, please get in touch with me.

ETC: 9 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW9 SW Cap

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.12mm

ETC: 1 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW14 & AW17 Button BP

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.2mm

ETC: 1 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW3 Faceplate base for laser insert

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.2mm

ETC: 8 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW6 Collective box

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.3mm

ETC: 11 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW10 RPM SW BP

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.2mm

ETC: 1 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW15 Trigger

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.2mm

NOTE: This text is small! I may not print. If you would like a laser-etched faceplate, please get in touch with me.

ETC: 9 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW4A SW CAP for Laser insert

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.2mm

ETC: 1 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW7 Top Hat

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.2mm

ETC: 1 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW11 Brace

QTY:2
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.2mm

ETC: 1 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active

AW16 Collective Grip RH

QTY:1
Material: PLA
Colour: Black
Infill:20%
Support: ON - Touching Build Plate
Adhesion: Skirt
Nozzle: 0.4mm, Layer height: 0.12mm

ETC: 10 Hours

Support Pattern: Concentric
Support Density: 10%
Support Z Distance: 0.2mm
Support X/Y Distance: 1.0mm
Print Speed: 40mm/s
Infill Speed: 80mm/s
Support Speed: 60mm/s
Initial Layer Speed:15 mm/s
Number of slower layers: 2
Experimental Conical Support: Active