Three Dimensional NURBS Modeling and Fabrication of Rotorcraft Design

Abstract

Before an aircraft is put into production, it must undergo a variety of tests inside a wind tunnel.  Rather than performing these tests on a full-scale plane, scaled models are often utilized.  Scaled models allow an aircraft to be tested in smaller facilities, can be built quickly, and can save money, as long as the physics being studied scale correctly.  Another use for aircraft models is to demonstrate how a model aircraft is built and tested in a wind tunnel,  showing aircraft interior and how the exterior mechanics operate.  This paper will show the steps involved in building a model aircraft and what these models can be used for.  The model aircraft talked about in this paper include the Large Civil Tilt Rotor (LCTR2) and XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft.  Models are either computer modeled from blueprints or provided by our mentor, Eduardo Solis.  The models are constructed using the program Rhino, prototyped in a MakerBot 3D printer, and finally 3D printed using the Dimension Elite printer and a laser cutter.  Four engineering interns worked on this project.  As Project Leader, I distributed the workload for the three major projects - the LCTR2 model, the XV-15 RotCFD model, and the 1/6-scale model of the 7- by 10-Foot Wind Tunnel.