Micro UAV involving flapping mechanism
Our project is based on Micro-UAVs involving flapping mechanism. UAVs are Unmanned aerial vehicles which are remotely controlled and does not require a person to sit in them and operate. When a word micro is attached to UAV, it limits its size to 100cm. We know that flapping mechanism is used by bir
2025-06-28 16:28:34 - Adil Khan
Micro UAV involving flapping mechanism
Project Area of Specialization RoboticsProject SummaryOur project is based on Micro-UAVs involving flapping mechanism. UAVs are Unmanned aerial vehicles which are remotely controlled and does not require a person to sit in them and operate. When a word micro is attached to UAV, it limits its size to 100cm. We know that flapping mechanism is used by birds. They flap their wings which causes the lift force to generate and in this way they fly. So, we can say that we are trying to mimic a bird. And in that, we have selected barn owl on the basis of conditions we have to follow. They have elliptical wings with low wing loading thus, providing effortless flight with low energy. We have performed analysis to select the foil shape so that we can have maximum lift force with minimal drag force. We have tried to make its weight minimum, so that it can fly. The components thus used in this are selected after the research and keeping in mind the power supplied and weight. Also, there is a camera installed in it for visual input. The flapping-wing vehicles promise key potential advantages of high thrust, agility, and maneuverability, and have a wide range of applications. Mainly it can be used for undetected surveillance. It is difficult to think of a bird doing a surveillance job. And if we think of it from the entertainment side, it is also effective as it feels mesmerizing to control the whole bird just by the mere movement of fingers. This would be useful for UAVs that are small, light and flying much nearer to obstacles than conventional aircraft do. These can be used for indoor and outdoor purposes.
Project ObjectivesThe main objectives of the project are
- To provide a breakthrough in development of micro-UAVs by intoducing flapping mechanism, for the first time in Pakistan.
- To optimise the flight of our ornithopter with the flight of barn owl.
- To learn the basic concepts which are involved in the flight of aeroplane.
- To learn the concepts involved in the flight of ornithopters.
- To get the know how of difficulties arising in the manufacturing and flight of ornithopters and how to tackle them.
- To differentiate between the flying of ornithopter and simple aeroplane.
- To know the industry of UAVs in Pakistan and to learn, on how to introduce the concept of ornithopters in Pakistan.
- The first and foremost step was to study the previous work which relates to our current project in anyway.
- The second is to choose the dimensions of the body. The reference used for the purpose was our model of barn owl.
- The third step was to design and select the dimensions of airfoil
- The fourth step was to design the 3D model and its simulation on a software.
- The fifth step is to perfom all kinds of related analysis on the body and also perfrom flight analysis using CFD techniques.
- The sixth step is to fabricate the model using all the selected dimensions and analysis results from previous steps.
This is for the first time in Pakistan, someone is working on ornithopters and this close to fly them. Before us, only one time this is tried, but unfortunately, they haven't succeed.
This project has many benefits ranging from individual level to industrial level. Following are some of the benefits discussed.
- Ornithopters are capable of more complex missions than conventional aircraft.
- They are useful in long distance flight as they use less power, because only one motor is used to run the engine.
- They are less noisy and mostly promote silent flight.
- They can also hover and perform maneuvers in tight spaces.
- A camera is also installed in this ornithopter thus, providing visual input.
- Itcan be used for undetected surveillance, because no one will doubt of being kept an eye, when he will see a bird flying over him.
- As it will look like a bird, so this camouflage will help him a lot in performing undercover operations.
- This can be used as a toy. This will revolutionize the toy industry, which make flying objects, in pakistan. So, we can start our own company.
- Barn owl is selected as our bird, because of its low wing loading, that is surface area to weight ratio. It has less weight and more surface area.
- The size of the bird is selected by keeping in view the original size of barn owl, as well as the size of a micro-UAV.
- The wing shape of barn owl is analyzed and then airfoil is selected which is OAF095 by Onera. This provides higher lift with minimal drag force at our required angle of attack that is four degrees.
- One brushless DC motor is used, which is connected to linear gear mechanism, to operate the flapping of wings. Both the wings are synchronized using gears.
- Flapping is carried out by single crank, double rocker mechanism.
- This motor is then configured with the RC controller.
- Additional two servo motors are used and installed at the tail to control the flight direction of the ornithopter.
- LiPo battery is used and is placed at the center of the bird to keep it balanced.
- Carbon rods are used to give the shape of the wings.
- The other body is 3D printed.
- For visual input, camera is also placed in place of the eyes of the ornithopter. This will help in getting the live images of the scenes and it will show you on the screen of the user. This data transmission will be done using wifi. So, the first prototype ornithopter will fly in a control environment.
| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 27850 | |||
| RC controller | Equipment | 1 | 7500 | 7500 |
| 3D printing body | Equipment | 5 | 1100 | 5500 |
| 3D printing gears | Equipment | 10 | 600 | 6000 |
| Carbon rods | Equipment | 12 | 100 | 1200 |
| Brushless DC Motor | Equipment | 1 | 3500 | 3500 |
| Battery LiPo | Equipment | 1 | 1400 | 1400 |
| Servo Motors | Equipment | 2 | 150 | 300 |
| Umbrella sheet | Equipment | 1 | 650 | 650 |
| Miscellaneous | Miscellaneous | 6 | 300 | 1800 |