Parametric Triblader Boomerang

This is a parametric boomerang design for a triblader.

Parametric means that you can change around a lot of variables, like the angle of the wings, the number of the slots in the wingtips etc., and the model will update accordingly. It's easy to create variations of this design, for example a more aggressive fast-catch version with the wings swept a little bit forward.

I haven't actually printed all of the versions in the rendered image. Some of them, the yellow one in particular, might be unusable in practice; the basic versions fly very well though.

I have included STLs for three basic versions without slots and with one or two slots. The slots – like the holes commonly drilled into sports boomerangs – are used to slow down the boomerang towards the end of the flight so it doesn't overshoot and is easier to catch. These small slots really cause a surprising amount of drag.

To take full advantage of the parametric design, have a look at the Onshape model and play with the settings yourself.

Print instructions

Rafts: No
Supports: Doesn't Matter
Resolution: 0.16
Infill: 30
Filament: Prusament PLA

Notes:

The wings have a tendency to bend downwards after printing. This needs to be corrected. Just warm the boomerang up with a hairdryer or even over your toaster, and set it on a flat surface with some washers or coins under the wingtips, and a bit of weight in the middle.