Gdocs download: http://goo.gl/ernZI
here's a XBee XTend solidworks assembly to add to your models. Has mates so the antenna rotates and pivots 90 degrees.
follow link, click download in the upper left or Ctrl+s
Gdocs download: http://goo.gl/ernZI
Corey Upton
Staff Mechanical Engineering Student
Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration
Poker Flat Research Range (PFRR), managed by University of Alaska Fairbanks is working on several unmanned aircraft project. One of them is converting surplus Raven UASs to run on the APM 2.5 and equip them with an extended battery pack. The Ravens will be used by researchers in Alaska for coastline, environmental and wildlife studies.
As a proof of concept, I designed and built this carbon fiber nacelle for my undergrad research class. It would cover the APM should it be located on top of the fuselage to make more room for payloads.
PFRR had a point cloud of the raven fuselage generated from a NextEngine 3D laser scanner. From this model, I designed a mold that accurately met the surface of the fuselage. After adding supports to the mold so it would not deform in the vacuum bag, I printed it on our Fortus 250mc 3D printer. When the mold was finished, it was prepped with a mold release agent and 3 layers of carbon fabric were cut and infused with resin. After curing in the vacuum bag, I removed, trimmed and sanded the part.
On this first iteration, the part fit very closely with no large gaps. Any gaps can be attributed to the rough trimming which will be simplified in later designs by adding a flange to the lip of the mold.
http://arcticuavs.blogspot.com/
As a senior at my high school we are required to complete a senior project prior to graduation. The project can be anything from building park benches to making improvements to the school but it must benefit the community in some way. I have chosen to build a UAV to provide aerial photographs for agencies here in Fairbanks, AK like Fish and Game, city planning, and for public events. I paid for all of the UAV with my Permanent Fund Dividend check and will be able to keep it after the project (most students have to donate what they make).
Next year I will begin my mechanical engineering degree at University Of Alaska Fairbanks and plan to work in the UAV or oil industry after that.
My UAV blog is here and my project web page is here.
