Design and Manufacturing Process of Micro Air Vehicles

Rzeszow University of Technology, Powstancow Warszawy Av. 12, 35-959 Rzeszow, Poland

Abstract

This paper shows shortly the designing, optimization and manufacturing process of light and compact, carbon fiber MAV. It also covers testing and results. The main purpose was to make an innovative prototype of UAV which is easy to transport, assembly and carry as much high volume payload as possible. The optimization process started from defining the constrains. To gain information needed to choose the best solution and perform optimization, authors made many tests. The material, which was chosen, had to be as light and durable as possible - this characteristics were later checked in tensile test of carbon fiber samples. The main optimization algorithm do initial research about the rest parameters of aircraft. The point was to narrow the range of analyzed chord’s values and find the best motors. For better performance the original airfoil was developed. It works perfectly in low Reynolds number area and has perfect characteristics for high-lift airfoils, compared to similar. It was later checked in CFD. The special manufacturing process of carbon fiber airplane was designed. After all the construction was tested. The successful flight tests confirmed that design process was appropriate and done well. All theoretical assumptions were also right.