Engineering Design Day - Case Study Example

Engineering Design Day Project Sabino Canyon VTOL UAV The Sabino Canyon VTOL UAV is a project whose aim was to design a small aircraft that can be flown down a canyon autonomously, one way and then back to the base station. The project’s configuration entails a flying wing instead of using the conventional aircraft design. The UAV is meant to have a system that allows a short takeoff and with the ability of landing with a belly skid. Its aim is to offer a video coverage for the survey area to the base station with a view of assisting researchers like rangers in various ranging operations. The UAV aircraft has have the ability to fly unmanned, but only with the help of GPS waypoints from the user (Jame 7). The engineering principles applied were incorporated strategically to make the aircraft sufficient. The key engineering principles included the component layout and airframe design among other. High quality components were incorporated. In designing the aircraft, a deep understanding of the design was required. The design started with the requirements definition and then extended its functional analysis as well as allocation. This was followed by design synthesis and then evaluation, after which validation was done. To optimize the UAV project success by minimizing any possible undesired side effects, a system approach involving integrated life-cycle was applied. With regard to the applied engineering principles, the design focused on both the project goals/objectives and ensuring the UAV is fully compatible with the physical as well as the functional requirements (Sadraey 11). Various operational outcomes were highly considered as well including safety, affordability, productivity, usability, supportability, control, effectiveness, and maintainability. This project is of high interest to me mainly because of the increasing application of unmanned aerial vehicles. The use of UAVs has also changed with time. The project in this case constitutes to some of the latest transformation in both design and use of UAVs. While most uses of UAVs are associated with civilian and military activities, it was very interesting to have a project whose aim is to design a UAV with a completely different application from the conventional applications mentioned. My interest on the project was also based on the prevailing breakthrough in UAV technology, which requires much support and awareness regarding the general requirements of UAV design. It was also not difficult to start and complete the project since the design and engineering principles used are similar to those developed several years ago (Sadraey 6). Project 2: Automated Paint and Coating Process This project mainly entails the streamlining of PSE Archery base coat through increment of handles and limbs production through automation. The project also aims at reducing the number of man-hours that are needed to meet the daily production. Through the project and the related process, there would be an increase in throughput. The operational expanse in the company is likely to increase significantly (ABB France 4). The project’s engineering principle is based on its design. The projects major design features included specified movements that allows flexibility, efficiency, reliability, and applicability among other aspects. It was important to ensure that the driving functions of the prototypes are met in order to ensure the project effectiveness and efficiency. The process is nevertheless fully automated but rather semi-automated. A single operator is required to run it, an aspect that reflects it usability principle. A specific paint software that is referenced was used to enhance effectiveness. Based on this software, automation has been possible. A hardwired stop button is thus designed even for the prototype. The program was designed and implemented from specifications definition and its startup. The key processes included power handling, pipe pigging, clean-in-place solution, as well as paint preparation/dispensing. Regarding the process of powder handling, the powders include titanium dioxide, talc, calcium carbonate, silica aerosol, and barium sulphate among others. The pipe pigging entailed components like multi-way valves as well as manifolds. The pigging engineering technology enables flexibility in the entire processing unit. The engineering principles applied in this case ensure that there is hardly any cross contamination (ABB France 13). There are also benefits associated with minimal waste generation, robust design as well as low maintenance, and attractive payback. I gained interest on the project because the project has the capability of enhancing the production of a working prototype. Besides, the project is so successful to an extent that the painting process based on the prototype alone can significant reduce the company’s overhead costs. Despite the fact that not all the requirements have been met, all the assemblies have moved according to plan. The project proves to be capable of contributing to significant benefits to the company. I liked the project also because of the effectiveness associated with the automated aspect. Manual tasks are not only tiresome and costly but they are also very inefficient. The project is highly effective and leads to the avoidance of typical human errors (ABB France 11). The automation feature of the painting and coating process can also speed up the entire process. This among other aspects constitutes the key aspects of technological advancement. Project 3: Dynamically-Scaled Aircraft for research and testing This project was specifically developed by NASA. The NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center intended to have a new real Multi-Use Technology Testbed (MUTT). The project entails a small and unmanned aircraft that is being developed by the United States Air Force through its respective Research Laboratory. The project aims to test the technologies that are required for new kind of aircrafts that are mainly characterized by flexibility and lightweight aspects. The project was significantly designed to test new advances in aeroservoelectricity. The project is among the newest X-planes of the US Air Force. It is an aircraft with a 7.5 foot long engine with an astonishing 28 foot long wingspan. It was designed to be powered using a turbine engine characterized by 52 pound thrust Jet p200-SX. The project was planned and implemented in California. Dryden was designated to oversee the project’s flights during the 2012 summer season after which it had to take ownership of the project X-56A MUTT (NASA Administrator). This was after the test by the United States Air force had been completed by early autumn in the same year. The engineering principle behind the project included efficiency, flexibility, and conservation of complexity, durability, and waste minimization. In this regard, the flexible wings and fuselages that contribute to significant reductions in the aircraft’s structural weight was ensured in an attempt to ensure efficiency and flexibility (Vincenti 34). The project incorporated stiff wings that are typically long and thin, which are typically susceptible to various uncontrollable vibrations, which are considered to result from the force generated by flowing air to ensure durability of the plane and efficiency (Vincenti 34). The design considered the engineering principle of conserving complexity in that that wings could be stressed through bending forces mainly from atmospheric turbulence and wind gusts. In this case, the plane would be easily maneuvered. Generally, I found the project interesting because the product has the ability of maintain a long term structure health as well as a quality ride within a flexible plane. In this regard, the project is based on advance technologies by NASA. I find technologies like gust load alleviation as well as active flutter suppression highly captivating. Besides, most of the technological breakthroughs done by NASA are sophisticated and are generally interesting. This project is therefore not an exemption. The aspect of the MUTT project being designed with a view of enhancing the same technologies by making engineers employ suppressing flutter techniques through the adjustment of software programs specifically in flight control computers in aircrafts in highly captivating. I also found out that the MUTT project could enable researcher learn on the best way of easing gust loads thereby making all flexible airplanes safer during in-flight turbulence (NASA Administrator). Works Cited ABB France. "Process plants for the paint and coatings industry Creating value through integrated solutions." Process plants for the paint and coatings industry | Reliable and innovative solutions (2011): 1-8. Print. Jame, David S. "Sabino Canyon UAV." AME420A Sabino Canyon UAV Design (2013): 1-25. Print. NASA Administrator. Introducing the X-56A MUTT: Who Let the Dog Out? 6 Mar 2012. Web. 6 May 2015. Web. Sadraey, M. A Systems Engineering Approach to Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Design. 10th AIAA Aviation Technology, Integration, and Operations (ATIO) Conference 13 - 15 September 2010, Fort Worth, Texas. Fort Worth: Daniel Webster College Nashua, NH, 03063, 2010. Print. Vincenti, Walter G. What Engineers Know and How They Know It: Analytical Studies from Aeronautical History. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993. Print. Read More