Required Background Knowledge:
A countless number of factors have an impact on an object’s potential to take flight. Things like climate, weather and precipitation can drastically increase or lower the chances of a successful flight before it even begins. Furthermore, forces in the environment are unpredictable. While gravity is a relative constant for our tests, other variables like wind speed can have major ramifications on a particular design.
With these factors, designers in the field of aviation are constantly looking for new and better ways to prevent those forces from significantly impacting the flight of their machines. Features like flaps, rudders or spoilers aren’t decorative - they’re protective! Flight affects our world in varied and interesting ways. The security of passengers on commercial flights is a great example of the importance of the design cycle, but sometimes we forget that items we use everyday get to us by way of air transportation. Thus, it is absolutely essential that models are designed, built, tested, modified - and then the whole thing starts over again. Research and development is what allows us to enjoy the privileges we take for granted day in and day out. |
This video is a great example of how far a project like this could go. In this example, the team from Tested goes all the way to the extent of designing a full model kit that is fully printable off an Ultimaker 2. While this final product might be a stretch to some students, a design that incorporates snap together pieces is well within their reach.
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