3D Printed Aircraft

Author(s) Information

Matthew Nagy, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Charles D'Amico, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow
Alexis Salgado Medina, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis ObispoFollow

College - Author 1

College of Engineering

Department - Author 1

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree Name - Author 1

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 2

College of Engineering

Department - Author 2

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 2

BS in Mechanical Engineering

College - Author 3

College of Engineering

Department - Author 3

Mechanical Engineering Department

Degree - Author 3

BS in Mechanical Engineering

Date

6-2023

Primary Advisor

Eltahry Elghandour, College of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering Department

Abstract/Summary

This project is to design, build, and test a 3D-printable aircraft. The goal is to create a final design that will be able to fly for the longest duration possible, around 20 seconds. To determine the correct preliminary design and manufacturing process for a 3D printed RC aircraft, an analysis of multiple design options and manufacturing materials was performed. This allowed for a variety of choices for aircraft type, airfoil design, structure, among other topics to be narrowed down to the most promising option. It has been found that the aircraft will follow a design similar to industry motor-gliders, with a lightweight wing design and airfoil common to glider models. With regards to the manufacturability, the aircraft will be printed using a Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) printer in carbon fiber polypropylene to optimize weight to strength ratio. These findings are critical to understanding the large scale applications of 3D printing in the aerospace industry, with a particular focus on fixed wing aircraft.

URL: https://digitalcommons.calpoly.edu/mesp/732