Title: Design and production of wind tunnel testing models with FDM technology using ABSi

Authors: Saeed Daneshmand, A. Ahmadi, C. Aghanajafi

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Majlesi Branch, Isfahan, Iran. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Islamic Azad University, Majlesi Branch, Isfahan, Iran. ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, K.N. Toosi University of Technology, Tehran, Iran

Abstract: Aircraft development program usually needs at several wind tunnel models to test the aerodynamics. RP manufacturing is a field of high technology concerning the generation of three-dimensional solids using particles or layers of mostly polymeric materials. For several years Rapid Prototype materials and methods have been considered as a potential source of improvements to conventional wind tunnel models. This paper discusses the application of rocket configuration constructed using CK45 and ABSi material for wind tunnel testing. Results from this study show good agreement between the two models and increased use of RP components in wind tunnel models could reduce the time wind tunnel model fabrication.

Keywords: model fabrication; FDM; fused deposition modelling; ABSi; aircraft development; rapid prototyping; rocket configuration; wind tunnel testing; wind tunnel models; aerodynamics.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMR.2009.024533

International Journal of Manufacturing Research, 2009 Vol.4 No.2, pp.120 - 136

Published online: 09 Apr 2009 *

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