3D Printed Non-Solid Flutter Test Model
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flutter wind tunnel test models are costly to produce and require complex manufacturing processes, limiting their widespread use in simulating aircraft parts for flutter testing.
Innovation Solution
A flutter wind tunnel test model with a non-solid structure featuring branched clearances, produced using a 3D printer, which allows for adjustable density and material distribution to simulate the mass and stiffness of aircraft parts, reducing production costs and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional flutter wind tunnel test model is produced by molding a wing shape with flexible resin on a metal plate using a metal mold, then the model can simulate the vibration properties of aircraft parts, but the manufacturing cost becomes high
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the manufacturing method from conventional metal mold molding to 3D printing technology. This parameter change in the manufacturing process enables direct digital fabrication of the test model with complex internal structures, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the ability to simulate vibration properties through precise control of non-solid structure density
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces non-solid structures with controlled density (volume of solid portion per unit volume) into the test model. These porous-like structures allow adjustment of mass distribution and stiffness characteristics to match aircraft parts, enabling accurate vibration simulation while using less material and reducing manufacturing complexity
2Reliability
If a conventional flutter wind tunnel test model is produced by molding a wing shape with flexible resin on a metal plate using a metal mold, then the model can simulate the vibration properties of aircraft parts, but the manufacturing process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from multi-step conventional molding processes to single-step 3D printing fabrication. This parameter change in the manufacturing method eliminates complex mold assembly, resin pouring, and curing processes, reducing manufacturing process complexity while maintaining vibration simulation accuracy through digital model control
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses digital 3D models to directly fabricate test models with complex internal structures. By copying the aircraft part geometry and density distribution into digital form and then printing it directly, the invention eliminates the need for physical metal molds and complex manufacturing procedures
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The model effectively simulates the vibration properties of aircraft parts, reducing production costs and time while accurately replicating deformation patterns, making it a more efficient and cost-effective solution for flutter testing.
Implementation Method 1
shaping non-solid structure with a three-dimensional printer
Implementation Method 2
A volume of a portion, other than the clearances, of the non-solid structure, per unit volume is defined by density
Data Source
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AI summary
A flutter wind tunnel test model simulates a shape and vibration property of an aircraft part, for a flutter wind tunnel test of the aircraft part. The model at least partially has non-solid structure having branched clearances inside. A volume of a portion, other than the clearances, of the non-solid structure, per unit volume is defined by density. A method of producing a flutter wind tunnel test model simulating a shape and vibration property of an aircraft part, for a flutter wind tunnel test of the aircraft part, includes: shaping non-solid structure with a three-dimensional printer and composing at least a part of the flutter wind tunnel test model using the non-solid structure. The non-solid structure has branched clearances inside. A volume of a portion, other than the clearances, of the non-solid structure, per unit volume is defined by density.