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Imagine that a 3D printer can not only print the plane, but also do the task in flight – like an absurd intrigue in a science fiction film, but someone really tries it and does it!
According to the Resource Library, recently, recently,3D printer manufacturerElegoo cooperates with Flite Test, a well -known YouTube channel in the field of remote flight.cooperateAn experience to open the brain was carried out: they designed a remote -controlled plane equipped with a 3D printer and used it to print a small plane during the flight. Although experience ended with an accident, the whole process was full of creativity and pleasure.
From idea to reality: balance between weight and structure
The experience was inspired by a daring proposal from Stefan Ostergren, co-organizer in the Flite test: Get the last 3D Centauri Carbon printer in the sky. The team accepted the challenge and designed a remote-controlled plane with a fully printing fuselage, and the one that printed these parts was the Centauri carbon printer itself mounted on the plane.
The Centauri Flite test carbon fiber aircraft is on the track, with a photo of the printed bed in the upper left corner. Photo: Flite test
One of the main challenges is how to find a balance between the load capacity of an airplane and the weight of a 3D printer. Elegoo’s 3D Centauri Centauri Centauri is weighs around 10 kg, which is a big burden for a remote -controlled plane.
To ensure that the aircraft can fly stable, the Flite test team has adopted a light design, with the fully printed fuselage printed in 3D and combined with carbon fiber stems as a support structure. This design not only reduces overall weight, but also improves body strength and stability.
The queue test staff assemble the plane chassis and install the Elegoo Centauri carbon. Photo: Flite test
In addition, the team also optimized the aerodynamic provision of the plane, referred to the design of remote -controlled aircraft in Meglacy before the Flite test, and incorporated the light concept of the Double Disorder Project. In the end, the plane lip reached 2.5 meters, which was enough to provide enough facelift to transport the printer and other equipment.
Operating difficulty: 3D printing in flight
3D printing on flight is not easy. First of all, the team must ensure that the printer can operate stable during the flight and avoid printing failures due to vibrations or inclination. To this end, they designed a special shock absorber support inside the plane and fixed the printer to the center of gravity of the plane to reduce the tremors during the flight.
Centauri carbon fiber -fiber -fiber -fiber -testing fiber with Meglacy wings. Photo: Flite test
Second, the printer power supply is also a key problem. The team equipped the printer with a large capacity lithium battery and monitored energy consumption in real time via the remote control system. Nevertheless, the management of the power supply and the energy consumption of printers always limit the flight time.
Takeoff and crash: a 55 -second miracle in the air
During the first test flight, the plane took off successfully and stolen for 55 seconds, with a maximum flight altitude of 100 feet and a flight distance of 1,200 feet. Meanwhile, the Centauri carbon printer managed to print a small plane model, demonstrating the feasibility of “printing in the air”.
The Centauri Carbon Plan of the Flite test is in flight. Photo: Flite test
However, at the end of the flight, the plane suddenly died to the left and hit a tree at 30 miles per hour, causing serious damage to the wings.
Centauri Carbon photos of the plane hitting a tree. Photo: Flite test
Despite the accident, the Centauri carbon printer continues to operate and only received minor scratches. The Flite test team welcomed the sustainability of the printer and plans to continue using the device in the future.
Unsuccessful monitoring: optimization and challenge again
Although the experience ended with an accident,But thisNot only is it a technical attempt, but it is also a difficult adventure.Demonstrate the versatility and innovative potential of 3D printing technology.
The Flite test team saidThey plan to further reduce the weight of aircraft, improve energy management systems and improve the stability of flights.I hope to optimize design in the future and challenge this project again.
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