Evaluation of FDM Rapid Prototyping with ABSi Material for Airfoil Design

Abstract

For faster new product introduction aerospace companies are interested in reducing the time it takes to make wind tunnel models. The increased capability of rapid prototyping technologies has made them attractive for this purpose. An experimental study was done of rapid prototyping technology and their ability to make components for wind tunnel models in a timely and cost effective manner. This paper discusses the application of wing-body-tail configuration constructed using fused deposition method (FDM) for Subsonic and transonic wind tunnel testing. An experimental study was undertaken comparing a rapid prototyping model constructed of FDM Technologies using ABSi (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) to that of a standard machined steel model. Testing covered the Mach range of Mach 0.3 to Mach 1.3 at an angle-of-attack range of + 4° to +26° at zero sideslip and at angle of-sideslip ranges from –10 to +10 degrees at 16 degrees angle-of-attack.. Results from this study show relatively good agreement between the two models. It can be concluded that FDM model show promise in preliminary aerodynamic development studies and reduction in time and cost.