My interest in aviation has started to late otherwise I was inside Airbus A320 right now.
I discovered my interest in aviation when I was about 25, way to late to make a pilot carrier. It started with Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004. I already was in to CNC and in early stage on my current hobby.
After finishing my second Bachelor Degree in Structural Engineering I learned few CAD programs and started to use them to draw smal cockpit project.
Many years later when my portfolio of CAD Software has grown significantly I started to draw A320 cockpit.
The result was full scale drawing of all A320 panels. The source for dimensions was some CAD files on the internet, images from Simpit and measurements check from my friend that worked as a pilot for Easyjet.
The Drawings
After first complete drawing I picked up one panel after another and fixed the measurements so they had same width, height so everything could fit nicely together.
At this point I had my small CNC machine so I could start manufacturing the panels.
The Drawing For Prototyping
I started by first finishing panels and placing all text for engraving in correct place.
After that I took blueprint of all electronics components needed for the panel and placed it in AutoCAD drawing.
This to see that everything fits, and nothing is crashing with each other.
Don’t look at the colors. They represent different CNC operations.
With this method I had many panels ready for prototyping on CNC Router.
The Panels in 3D
SolidWroks 3D CAD Design Software. is one of the best Software that I have ever learned.
It is funny, because I am a completely Autodesk fanatic but when it comes to mechanical design I prefer SolidWorks before Inventor of Fusion 360.
This fantastic piece of software made it easy for me to take my design to another level. I know could take 3D panels and bring them in 3D.
And the result was fantastic.
Witch electronics board and components behind.
At this point I have many panels in 3D
- Side Panel
- FCU
- COM & NAV
- EFIS
- GEAR
I even designed knobs in 3D. This model can be seen sperate post: Airbus A320 – Knobs – 3D Models
The PCB
It was time to design PCB Board in Eagle CAD PCB Design Software.
The result form there was milled on CNC Router.
Today I will simply send the PCB Design for production of Prototype Boards. It is way more cos effective.
The Panel Prototype
Finally, I could start prototyping the panel.
First it was cut, painted and engraved.
Tested backlighting.
The finished prototype.
After those test I found out that my small CNC Router isn’t accurate enough.
The positioning of engraving is a little bit off.
At this point I decided to sell this CNC and build a new one.
You can read all about new CNC in this post: CNC Router – 1250x650x150
This is how the A320 Cockpit looks like in 3D AutoCAD made by my friend Jacek.
The Compact Cockpit
In the mean time I found on the interned a German guy who made a fantastic small and compact cockpit.
After those test I found out that my small CNC Router isn’t accurate enough.
The positioning of engraving is a little bit off.
At this point I decided to sell this CNC and build a new one.
You can read all about new CNC in this post: CNC Router – 1250x650x150
In the mean time I found on the interned a German guy who made a fantastic small and compact cockpit.
This is what I am going to build.
Can you post these files for cnc
And gg work ofc.
Sorry, right now I don’t have anything that is good enough to be shared. Maybe in the future…
Hi Martin 🙂 wäre evtl möglich die cad files mir zukommen zu lassen 🙂 würde mich freuen da ich auch gerade an einem CNC project arbeite und mein homecockpit bauen möchte 🙂
Hey Sven.
I am currently now sharing the files.
I am do it in the near future but I have New CO2 laser, Garden watering and Solar panels project before I can sit and do something about that.. Sorry.
Is there any chance to get cad files or cnc files for A320 cockpit?
Tomasz.
I am still in the thinking box of what to do.
On one site, I want to make this project open source, on the other side, I have some ideas I want to try first, before I decide.
Hey,
as many others of course, I would also be interested in you CAD files.
I completely understand that you do not share them at the moment, I just want to show my interest for them.
Of course offering them in your shop would be nice as well.
Great work!
Thank you for you interest in CAD files. I am slowly working on a solution.
Hello, Martin! Great thanks for your researches, especially display positioning solution.
Btw, do you still have plans for uploading CADs? It would be great to have it because me and my friend want to build one.