Progress Blog 4 - Work Blog
The team came up with equations to calculate the impact energy and forces the drone frame will need to sustain at maximum velocity. The team also obtained data from sources to assist in converting dynamic loads to statically equivalent loads for FEA simulations. A design shape was chosen after conducting the necessary FEA simulations to compare the 3 different options that were initially formed.
The final design concept is lightweight, durable, modular drone frame. It will consist of carbon fiber plates for the frame along with a bumper system to act as a shock absorber and protector. The bumper will have an outer layer made of sorbothane, a middle layer made of fiberglass, and an inner layer made of carbon fiber/nylon filament. The carbon fiber plates and bumpers will be sectioned to exhibit a modular design for easy reparability in case of damage from impacts. The main goals of the project are to design a drone frame that will weigh less than one(after adding the respective electrical components), measure less than 1 ft^2, withstand maximum speed impacts and drop heights, and have a 15+ minutes flight time. After constructing our drone frame, we will begin our testing procedures, examining and testing our project design to validate that our drone frame meets these goals. Shown below in Table 1 is a list of tests that the team will be conducting for validation.
Table 1. Testing Procedures Table
Shown below in figure 1 is the preliminary 3D model of the team's design.
Figure 1. Preliminary 3D Model - Option C
The model shows two carbon fiber plates as the frame along with a white electronics box concept for electrical components. The bottom plate will hold the motors and propellers and the top plate will provide the ringed propeller guard structure.
Shown below in figure 2 is a stress analysis simulation of design option C.
Figure 2. Von Mises Stress Analysis
This figure is important because it shows the stress concentrations and high stress points of the design under a load. This also let's the team know whether the design can hold up to the calculated loads.
Shown below in figure 3 are the loads vs maximum stresses.
Figure 3. Load vs Maximum Stress
This figure is important for showing the differences between the maximum stresses exhibited by each of the design options. Option C shows to hold up the best when compared to the other options under the given loads.
Shown below in figure 4 are the loads vs maximum displacements.
Figure 4. Load vs Maximum Displacement
This figure is important for showing the differences between the maximum displacements exhibited by each of the design options. Option C also shows to hold up the best when compared to the other options under the given loads.
The team plans to order the frame components of the drone and begin fabrication during the Winter. We also plan to have the drone frame fully constructed and assembled by the end of January 2022.