RC Airplane

1
RC Airplane

• Robert Schuld
• Aakash Soni
• Alan Strimbu

2
Table of Contents

• Timeline
• Gantt Chart
• Problem Statement
• Background
• Customer
• Scope
• Customer Requirements
• Deliverables
• Brainstorming
• Research
• Identify Criteria Constraints
• Explore Possibilities
• Pros and Cons
• Select an Approach
• CAD
• Bill of Material
• Build Process
• Test Criteria
• Test Plan

3
Timeline
4
Gantt
5
Problem Statement

• Students lack proficiency in Engineering
• By creating an RC airplane
• Gain knowledge
• Gain experience for college environment

6
Background

• Gain knowledge in Aeronautics and Material
  Sciences
• Implement calculus and physics for advanced
  calculations
• Recognize properties of different materials
  balsa wood, foam, etc.

7
Customer

• Mr. Pritchard
• Mrs. Brandner

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Scope

• Create RC airplane to takeoff, fly, and land
• Consist of fuselage, wings, motor, servos
• Documented in engineering notebook
• Presented in technical report and Powerpoint
  presentation

9
Scope (contd)

• Experts
• Mr. Pritchard
• Mrs. Brandner
• Mr. Cotie
• Built of balsa wood and foam
• Held together with various glues
• Create lightest prototype as possible

10
Scope (contd)

• Requirements
• 12-step design process
• Strength tests
• Cost estimates
• CAD drawings
• Data for 3 diff. materials
• Calculations for plane (thrust, drag, lift)

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Scope (contd)

• Expected cost to be 100
• Limitations with various clubs and sports

12
Customer Requirements

• Mr. Pritchard
• 3 tests on 3 different materials
• Strength test on material/prototype
• Mrs. Brandner
• Complex calculations using physics and calculus
• Submit engineering notebook
• Additional
• Must fit in technology room
• Must be tested outside school property

13
Deliverables

• Mr. Pritchard
• RC Airplane prototype
• Final Report
• Design Notebook(s)
• Powerpoint Presentation
• Mrs. Brandner
• Calculations

14
Brainstorming

• Construction
• What building materials will be used?
• What bonding materials will be used?
• What prefabricated materials will be used?
• What tools will be used?

15
Brainstorming (contd)

• Plane characteristics
• How 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?

16
Brainstorming (contd)

• Testing
• Where will we fly the airplane?
• What if the airplane crashes?
• Will we need permission to fly the airplane?
• How will we test the airplane?

17
Research

• Looked heavily into materials
• Balsa vs. Basswood
• Foam vs. Metal vs. Fiberglass
• Structure of plane
• Skeleton build with thin covering
• Solid build

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Research (contd)

• Motor types
• Electric, nitro engine, jet engine
• Servos
• Move surfaces of plane
• Provide turning capabilities
• Propeller/Landing gear
• Propeller needs to fit with motor
• Proper size wheels

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Research (contd)

• Plane channels
• Ailerons for roll
• Elevators for pitch
• Throttle for speed
• Rudder for yaw
• Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)
• 3-channel system most practical

20
Research (contd)

• Wing position
• High, mid, and low-wing
• High is most stable and easiest to fly
• Tail
• V-tail and T-tail
• T-tails better with low speeds for control
• Transmitter
• Prefabricated at 72 MHz frequency band

21
Identify Criteria Constraints

• Criteria
• Applications of Calculus
• Calculations for d(t), v(t), a(t)
• Calculations for lift force
• Calculations for engine torque
• Calculations for thrust
• Calculations for types of materials
• Optimization with different materials and
  structures
• Submit engineering notebooks

22
Identify Criteria Constraints

• Criteria
• Applications of Technology
• Application 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

23
Identify Criteria Constraints

• Criteria
• Control Panels
• Flying tests must be outside school property
• Constraints
• Must fit inside technology room
• 3 ft. wingspan for detail, but not too large

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Explore Possibilities
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Pros and Cons
Materials Pros Cons
Balsa wood Porous Less glue required Lightweight Cheap Widely available Stiff Easy to sand Varying strength
Basswood Wont crush Lightweight Hard to sand Not widely available More expensive
Foam Very lightweight Hard to work with Not very strong
Plastic Strong Rigid Rigid Hard to work with Expensive Relatively heavy
Metal Very strong Rigid Very heavy Expensive Hard to work with Not widely available
Fiberglass Very strong Very lightweight Very expensive No previous experience Not widely available
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Pros and Cons (contd)
Tails Pros Cons
V-Tail Lightweight Less drag Sturdy Less aerodynamic
T-Tail Keep airflow behind wing Creates clean airflow Better pitch control Can break at landing

• T-tail best choice
• Aerodynamics
• Cleaner airflow

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Pros and Cons (contd)
Wings Pros Cons
High wing Most stable Easiest to fly Easy to build Not as acrobatic
Low wing Easy to roll Hard to fly Top-heavy
Mid-wing Easy to turn Hardest to fly Wings at bulk of mass

• High wing best choice
• Easiest to fly/build
• Stable
• Makes sustained flight easiest to attain
• Acrobatics not necessary

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Pros and Cons (contd)
Adhesives Pros Cons
Wood Glue (Urea) Easiest to use Low cost Light color Poor heat resistance Poor moisture resistance Bond not very strong
Hot Glue Quick cooling time Relatively easy to use Low cost Bond not strong Leaves residue Visible on plane
Gorilla Glue Very light Expands while setting Best for wood than other materials Waterproof Hard to work with Contains air bubbles Somewhat expensive
Pro-bond Glue Expands when dry Less glue required Cheap Water-resistant Heavy
Rubber Cement Strong flexible bond Easy to peel off Not brittle Flammable Highly toxic Expensive
Super Glue Very strong bond Often used for model aircraft Versatile Water resistant Expensive Can become brittle Long cure times
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Pros and Cons (contd)
Propellers Pros Cons
Dual Blade Easily available Very efficient Easy to use Fairly cheap Larger diameter
Multi Blade Smaller diameter Less available Less efficient
Wood Blade Very rigid Efficient Light Breaks easily
APC Blade (Metal) Dont break as easily Efficient Heavy
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Pros and Cons (contd)
Motors Pros Cons
Electric Cheap Easy to run Clean Doesnt require gasoline Lightweight Low power / torque
Nitro Relatively cheap Wide availability High torque and power Special mixture of fuel Heavy
Gas High torque and power Not as available Heavy Special mixture of fuel Expensive
Jet Extreme power Extremely expensive Not as available
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Select an Approach

Design 1
Design 2
Design 3

High
I M P A C T
Low
Low
High
Effort
32
CAD
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Bill of Material
PART PART DESCRIPTION COST PER UNIT QUANTITY TOTAL COST
Power 15 Brushless Outrunner Motor 950 Kv, 575 Watts 79.99 1 79.99
3-channel controller Hitec Neon SS 72 MHz 67.99 1 67.99
Landing Gear Elite Mini UltraStick 12.95 1 12.95
Servos HS-311 6.0 Volt 11.99 2 23.98
Carbon fiber tube 0.210 outer diam. x 0.132 inner diam. x 40 7.99 1 7.99
EPS Foam ¾ x 14 ½ x 48 9.49 1 9.49
Propeller Speed 400, 5.25 x 6.25 2.13 1 2.13
Pushrods Fiberglass 8.95 2 17.90
Balsa Wood ¼ x 36 0.89 2 1.78
TOTAL COST 224.20
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Build Process

• Part A
• Layer 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.

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Build Process (contd)

• 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.

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Build Process (contd)

• Part B
• Obtain 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.

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Build Process (contd)
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Build Process (contd)v
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Build Process (contd)
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Build Process (contd)
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Build Process (contd)
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Test Criteria

• Test Criteria for Prototype
• Safety
• Functionality (in air/on ground)
• Ease of use
• Aerodynamics
• Velocity
• Weight/Size
• Strength

43
Test Criteria

• Test Criteria for Materials
• Foam
• Strength
• Safety
• Compression/Tension
• Flexibility
• Weatherability (ability to withstand outdoor
  conditions)

44
Test Criteria

• Test Criteria for Materials
• Adhesive
• Weatherability
• Holding strength
• Drying time
• Motor/Propeller
• Thrust
• Torque
• Voltage (if necessary)
• Weatherability
• Weight/Size
• Functionality

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Test Plan
Test Criteria How Tested Expected results Actual Results
Overall Plane Aerodynamics Look 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.
Overall Plane Functionality Move all surfaces (rudder, elevators) and check for responsiveness. All motorized parts of the plan will respond well.
Overall Plane Safety Check if the plane flies consistently in the air and doesnt wobble. The plane will be safe and wont wobble.
Overall Plane Strength Hang 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.
Overall Plane Velocity While in the air, look at distance/time to determine the speed. The velocity will be high enough to sustain flight.
Overall Plane Weight/Size Measure the overall planes dimensions. Put the whole plane on a scale. Planes weight will be in proportion to its size.
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Prototype
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Test Results
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Lessons Learned
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Summary