RC AirplaneRobert SchuldAakash SoniAlan Strimbu

Table of ContentsTimelineGantt ChartProblem StatementBackgroundCustomerScopeCustomer RequirementsDeliverablesBrainstormingResearchIdentify Criteria & ConstraintsExplore PossibilitiesPros and ConsSelect an ApproachCADBill of MaterialBuild ProcessTest CriteriaTest PlanPrototypeTest ResultsLessons LearnedSummary

Timeline

Gantt

Problem StatementStudents lack proficiency in Engineering

By creating an RC airplane:Gain knowledgeGain experience for college environment

BackgroundGain knowledge in Aeronautics and Material SciencesImplement calculus and physics for advanced calculationsRecognize properties of different materials balsa wood, foam, etc.

CustomerMr. Pritchard

Mrs. Brandner

ScopeCreate RC airplane to takeoff, fly, and landConsist of fuselage, wings, motor, servosDocumented in engineering notebookPresented in technical report and Powerpoint presentation

Scope (contd)ExpertsMr. PritchardMrs. BrandnerMr. CotieBuilt of balsa wood and foamHeld together with various gluesCreate lightest prototype as possible

Scope (contd)Requirements12-step design processStrength testsCost estimatesCAD drawingsData for 3 diff. materialsCalculations for plane (thrust, drag, lift)

Scope (contd)Expected cost to be $100

Limitations with various clubs and sports

Customer RequirementsMr. Pritchard3 tests on 3 different materialsStrength test on material/prototypeMrs. Brandner Complex calculations using physics and calculusSubmit engineering notebookAdditionalMust fit in technology roomMust be tested outside school property

DeliverablesMr. PritchardRC Airplane prototypeFinal ReportDesign Notebook(s)Powerpoint PresentationMrs. BrandnerCalculations

BrainstormingConstructionWhat building materials will be used?What bonding materials will be used?What prefabricated materials will be used?What tools will be used?

Brainstorming (contd)Plane characteristicsHow will the airplane be powered?How will the airplane be maneuvered?What weather conditions are required to fly the plane?What wing structure will be used?What aesthetics will we consider?What is the optimal center of gravity?

Brainstorming (contd)TestingWhere will we fly the airplane?What if the airplane crashes?Will we need permission to fly the airplane?How will we test the airplane?

ResearchLooked heavily into materialsBalsa vs. BasswoodFoam vs. Metal vs. Fiberglass

Structure of planeSkeleton build with thin coveringSolid build

Research (contd)Motor typesElectric, nitro engine, jet engineServosMove surfaces of planeProvide turning capabilitiesPropeller/Landing gearPropeller needs to fit with motorProper size wheels

Research (contd)Plane channelsAilerons for rollElevators for pitchThrottle for speedRudder for yawElectronic Speed Controller (ESC)3-channel system most practical

Research (contd)Wing positionHigh, mid, and low-wingHigh is most stable and easiest to flyTailV-tail and T-tailT-tails better with low speeds for controlTransmitterPrefabricated at 72 MHz frequency band

Identify Criteria & ConstraintsCriteriaApplications of CalculusCalculations for d(t), v(t), a(t)Calculations for lift forceCalculations for engine torqueCalculations for thrustCalculations for types of materialsOptimization with different materials and structuresSubmit engineering notebooks

Identify Criteria & ConstraintsCriteriaApplications of TechnologyApplication of the 12 step design process

Testing procedures for different types of materials and their strengths

Submit final report and Power Point

Submit airplane prototype

Submit CAD drawings

Identify Criteria & ConstraintsCriteriaControl PanelsFlying tests must be outside school propertyConstraintsMust fit inside technology room3 ft. wingspan for detail, but not too large

Explore Possibilities

Pros and Cons

MaterialsProsConsBalsa woodPorousLess glue requiredLightweightCheapWidely availableStiffEasy to sandVarying strengthBasswoodWont crushLightweightHard to sandNot widely availableMore expensiveFoamVery lightweightHard to work withNot very strongPlasticStrongRigidRigidHard to work withExpensiveRelatively heavyMetalVery strongRigidVery heavyExpensiveHard to work withNot widely availableFiberglassVery strongVery lightweightVery expensiveNo previous experienceNot widely available

Pros and Cons (contd)T-tail best choiceAerodynamicsCleaner airflow

TailsProsConsV-TailLightweightLess dragSturdyLess aerodynamicT-TailKeep airflow behind wingCreates clean airflowBetter pitch controlCan break at landing

Pros and Cons (contd)High wing best choiceEasiest to fly/buildStableMakes sustained flight easiest to attainAcrobatics not necessary

WingsProsConsHigh wingMost stableEasiest to flyEasy to buildNot as acrobaticLow wingEasy to rollHard to flyTop-heavyMid-wingEasy to turnHardest to flyWings at bulk of mass

Pros and Cons (contd)

AdhesivesProsConsWood Glue (Urea)Easiest to useLow costLight colorPoor heat resistancePoor moisture resistanceBond not very strongHot GlueQuick cooling timeRelatively easy to useLow costBond not strongLeaves residueVisible on planeGorilla GlueVery lightExpands while settingBest for wood than other materialsWaterproofHard to work withContains air bubblesSomewhat expensivePro-bond GlueExpands when dryLess glue requiredCheapWater-resistantHeavyRubber CementStrong flexible bondEasy to peel offNot brittleFlammableHighly toxicExpensiveSuper GlueVery strong bondOften used for model aircraftVersatileWater resistantExpensiveCan become brittleLong cure times

Pros and Cons (contd)

PropellersProsConsDual BladeEasily availableVery efficientEasy to useFairly cheapLarger diameterMulti BladeSmaller diameterLess availableLess efficientWood BladeVery rigidEfficientLightBreaks easilyAPC Blade (Metal)Dont break as easilyEfficientHeavy

Pros and Cons (contd)

MotorsProsConsElectricCheapEasy to runCleanDoesnt require gasolineLightweightLow power / torqueNitroRelatively cheapWide availabilityHigh torque and powerSpecial mixture of fuelHeavyGasHigh torque and powerNot as availableHeavySpecial mixture of fuelExpensiveJetExtreme powerExtremely expensiveNot as available

Select an ApproachEffortIMPACTHighLowLowHigh

Design 1Design 2Design 3

CAD

Bill of Material

PARTPART DESCRIPTIONCOST PER UNITQUANTITYTOTAL COSTPower 15 Brushless Outrunner Motor950 Kv, 575 Watts$79.991$79.993-channel controllerHitec Neon SS 72 MHz$67.991$67.99Landing GearElite Mini UltraStick$12.951$12.95ServosHS-311 6.0 Volt$11.992$23.98Carbon fiber tube0.210 outer diam. x 0.132 inner diam. x 40$7.991$7.99EPS Foam x 14 x 48$9.491$9.49PropellerSpeed 400, 5.25 x 6.25$2.131$2.13PushrodsFiberglass$8.952$17.90Balsa Wood x 36$0.892$1.78TOTAL COST$224.20

Build ProcessPart ALayer four sheets of EPS foam on top of each other.Use four very thin dowel rods or four vise grips and stick it through all four layers in each of the four corners of the stack in order to hold it in place.Using a Sharpie, mark a rectangle that is 4 x 23 on the top of the stack.Using a hot wire, carve out the resulting box.

Remove the cut out pieces.Clamp these four pieces together so that all of the edges are flush.Using a box cutter, shave out the shape of the fuselage.Remove the vise grips and glue the four sheets together.Sand Part A so that it is smooth.

Build Process (contd)

Build Process (contd)Part BObtain one sheet of EPS foam.Using a Sharpie, trace the side of Part B on the end of the foam sheet.Using a hot wire, trace this line and cut out the shape of Part B.

Build Process (contd)

Build Process (contd)v

Build Process (contd)

Build Process (contd)

Build Process (contd)

Test CriteriaTest Criteria for PrototypeSafetyFunctionality (in air/on ground)Ease of useAerodynamicsVelocityWeight/SizeStrength

Test CriteriaTest Criteria for MaterialsFoamStrengthSafetyCompression/TensionFlexibilityWeatherability (ability to withstand outdoor conditions)

Test CriteriaTest Criteria for MaterialsAdhesiveWeatherabilityHolding strengthDrying timeMotor/PropellerThrustTorqueVoltage (if necessary)WeatherabilityWeight/SizeFunctionality

Test Plan

Test CriteriaHow TestedExpected resultsActual ResultsOverall PlaneAerodynamicsLook at the overall body of the plane and determine if any parts of the plane will decrease aerodynamics.The plane will have sound aerodynamics and will have minimal drag.FunctionalityMove all surfaces (rudder, elevators) and check for responsiveness.All motorized parts of the plan will respond well.SafetyCheck if the plane flies consistently in the air and doesnt wobble.The plane will be safe and wont wobble.StrengthHang weights on the wings and see if the flex too much or break. Put weights on other critical structures of the plane.The plane will be able to support the weight and will not fracture.VelocityWhile in the air, look at distance/time to determine the speed.The velocity will be high enough to sustain flight.Weight/SizeMeasure the overall planes dimensions. Put the whole plane on a scale.Planes weight will be in proportion to its size.

Prototype

Test Results

Lessons Learned

Summary