Category Archives: Experimental

CNC Wire Bender

Experimental

Here are a few pictures of the CNC Wire Bender I started a while back. It will eventually be used to make landing gear wire and propeller shafts.

In this picture I’m experimenting with servos, an Arduino, a stepper controller, EMC2 CNC software, acrylic, gears, pinch rollers and much more.

The wire will be driven through the bender using pinch rollers and a stepper. Some servos will do the actual bending of the wire.

This was the first attempt and I have learned a lot since these experiments so I will actually start over (a few other projects are ahead of this right now). I made all the parts by hand which triggered my tennis elbow (except the parts that were harvested from old printers).

Since then I’ve learned a lot about making parts plus I have access to all sorts of cool mechanisms of making things such as laser, CNC and so forth. I also now know where to buy parts as well.

Sometimes that’s faster than fixing what you have.

 

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Learning and Mentoring and Educational Concepts

Education, Experimental

I’m having discussion with various people on ways that simple model planes can fit into different learning and mentoring situations. Please post your ideas as a comment!

History and Physics

History of Aviation
Theory and Formulae
Calculation of  Wing-Loading
Fluid Dynamics
Structures (I-beams, Laminating, Composites…)
Flight Parameters (Winding, Wing Angle, Wing Sweep, etc)
Struts, Trusses and Gussets
Centre of Gravity, Decalage, Wing Incidence, Pitch Stability
Roll Stability, Dihedral, Polyhedral, Winglets
Yaw Stability
Explanation of Lift, Thrust, Control
Ailerons, Rudder, Elevator, Flaps, Turbulators
Side Thrust, Down Trust
Airfoils, Camber
Friction and Lubrication for Rubber and Propeller Shaft
Density of Materials
Potential Energy (Stored energy)
Elasticity (K factor)
Torque and Measurement
Stiffness of Materials and Measurement
Leverage and Calculations
Gear Ratios (Applies to Winders)
Build a precision scale for weighing 10ths or 100ths of a gram.

Competition

Duration
Distance
Simultaneous Launch
Sequential Launch
Height
Spot Landing
Charisma

Team Work

Reflection on various elements of team work.
Discussion of problem solving methodologies.
Discussion of resolution of conflict in a teams.
Discussion of leadership and teamwork.
What did you enjoy?
What part was the hardest?
What part was the easiest?
What would you do differently the next time? (Include sketch).

Design

Students are to divide into groups Optimal Number?

Previously students were asked to form a corporation with a CEO, CFO, Construction Manager, etc. This worked really well on rare occasions. What do you think of the business-style set up is it worth the effort? Does is work in real-life? A lot of guidance is required as to the function of each position and as to the best ways to work in a group situation. Small projects to exemplify best practices in group-work would help.

The design should reflect the research.

Can the design be divided into parts for individual students?

Can the designs be scaled? (e.g. 2:1)

Construction

The construction should reflect the design.

Spot checks could be used for accuracy

Can the construction be divided into parts for individual students?

Neatness, elegance, and charisma are important.

Many students would have difficulty identifying and defining these three characteristics so a descriptive page should be included.

Assessment (remember safety concerns).

Assess Wing-load.

Testing of Design with reference to goals and one Variable.

Quantitative Assessment should involve using a Control.

Accurate and Neat Recording Techniques would be required.

Reflection of various elements of team work.

Discussion of problem solving methodologies.

Discussion of resolution of conflict in a team situation.

Discussion of leadership and teamwork.

Design Revision

Identification of Areas for Improvement

Identification of Parameter for Modification

Systematic Problem Solving (some introduction to problem-solving techniques could be valuable).

Design Improvement. Should improvements be made to the original design drawings?

Evaluation and Assessment

Quantitative Assessment using a Control

Percentage Improvement

Parent Involvement

The improvements in the construction should reflect design changes.

Neatness and Elegance

Charisma or Elegance can be measure using a voting system by teachers, students, parents, visitors, internet. This adds a degree of reward for certain types of creativity.

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Squirrels in Antarctic Lands

Education, Experimental,
Wenceslas

Meet Wenceslas: He is travelling to Crozet Islands and the Antarctic Lands for a year with a team of scientists who are studying penguins and related.

He will be doing some measurement of seismological activity, magnetic field and manage some electrical systems at the scientific base.

By the way Crozet Islands is at the South end of the Indian Ocean and is a bit closer to Antarctica than to Madagascar!

What an exciting journey!

He’s passionate about his work but spending a year on an island smaller than a city that has no people except a team of scientists needs preparation.

Wenceslas will be bringing a box Squirrel model planes as a diversion and to share with the other scientists. I hope it gets them running around and inspires them!

I can’t wait to get back some reports.

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Peace Plane

Experimental
A paper airplane shaped like a circle.

Paper planes are easy-to-make and you don’t need any special materials.

Here’s a really cool paper plane of mine (right). You can download a template to make the Peace Plane.

Below are are videos on making and flying the Peace Plane.

If you don’t have the template make the three folds like this:
-One Inch (from edge)
-One cm  (from edge)
-Bisect the remaining distance

I always bring a few sheets of paper in my brief case and some colored markers.

Kids can decorate them with markers, stamps, hole punches and such.

Paper is pretty easy to deal with as it can be torn and cut with scissors. I suppose you could also add glue and tape to the mix but then it’s considered a model plane. 🙂

On the downside, they can’t fly as far as a model plane. Also they are not as stable a platform to learn about trimming and aerodynamics because they are so flexible and structurally unstable.

But you can deploy paper planes in a wider variety of social situations. Pubs, night clubs, dance halls, cafeterias, restaurants, I’ve done it all.

This things will rescue any social situation that has gone sour.

To learn to launch it you can study this video:

 

 

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