Fabrication and testing of dragonfly wings via continuous carbon fiber 3D printing
Project Description
Dragonflies can remain stationary in one position in the air and change any flight direction instantaneously. This outstanding maneuverability primarily arises from its unique wing geometry, aeroelastic property, and control strategies. For the study of dragonfly wings' properties, reliable fabrication techniques that emulates the stiffness variations at different locations of the wing are needed. This project aims to achieve this goal of dragonfly wing fabrication via continuous carbon fiber 3D printing technologies. The applicants are expected to choose appropriate materials and manufacturing technologies to fabricate the dragonfly wings and perform preliminary tests on their mechanical properties.
Supervisor
DUAN, Molong
Quota
1
Course type
UROP1100
Applicant's Roles
The applicant is expected to (1) operate and program the continuous carbon fiber printer Anisoprint Composer A4, (2) collaborate with other Ph.D. students to finalize the design and print pattern, (3) explore different materials (PLA, ABS, Nylon) and manufacturing technologies, (4) fabricate the dragonfly wings, and (5) perform preliminary mechanical testing.
Applicant's Learning Objectives
During this project, the applicants are expected to (1) learn how to use a continuous carbon fiber 3D printer, (2) get familiar with the design and trajectory generation of fiber reinforcement trajectories, (3) learn various 3D printing materials and manufacturing technologies, (4) get hands-on experience part fabrication and testing.
Complexity of the project
Moderate