Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
individual
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Stanlie Cerda-Cruz, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Stanlie Cerda-Cruz
Lead Presenter's College
DB College of Engineering
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Sergey Drakunov
Abstract
This study aims to assess the efficiency gains, feasibility, and practicality of 3D printing fan and ducts with pre and post processing techniques. With the rapid expansion of MAV use; labs, students, hobbyists, can benefit from manufacturing Electric Ducted Fans (EDFs), both fans and ducts, in-house rather than purchasing traditional propellers. There are several advantages of utilizing EDFs, as they can minimize wing tip vortices, reduce wake contraction, and induce a duct lip Coanda effect which all lead to an increased system efficiency. However, EDF implementation in MAV's remain largely unexplored due to the difficulty of development and the production of the blade and ducts. The increased the accessibility of 3D printers for labs and hobbyists has allowed it to become a potential alternative to conventional open rotors. 3D printing technology has not evolved enough to have out-of-the-box appropriate flow characteristics for these effects to be significant, but this study collects data from in lab manufactured blades and duct that have been smoothed with various methods.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Experimental Manufacturing Optimization of 3D-Printed Ducted Fans
This study aims to assess the efficiency gains, feasibility, and practicality of 3D printing fan and ducts with pre and post processing techniques. With the rapid expansion of MAV use; labs, students, hobbyists, can benefit from manufacturing Electric Ducted Fans (EDFs), both fans and ducts, in-house rather than purchasing traditional propellers. There are several advantages of utilizing EDFs, as they can minimize wing tip vortices, reduce wake contraction, and induce a duct lip Coanda effect which all lead to an increased system efficiency. However, EDF implementation in MAV's remain largely unexplored due to the difficulty of development and the production of the blade and ducts. The increased the accessibility of 3D printers for labs and hobbyists has allowed it to become a potential alternative to conventional open rotors. 3D printing technology has not evolved enough to have out-of-the-box appropriate flow characteristics for these effects to be significant, but this study collects data from in lab manufactured blades and duct that have been smoothed with various methods.