View Proposal

---

Proposer

Mike Chantler

Title

AI Assisted Parametric Design and Automated Configuration of Balsa Wood Gliders Using Python and the Fusion 360

Goal

To develop a Python application that uses the Fusion 360 API to automatically generate and configure a CAD model of a ply/balsa/carbon glider and evaluate the practicality of this approach for hobby aircraft kit manufacture..

Description

Recently there has been a resurgence in laser cut balsa wood glider kits. These designs are surprisingly sophisticated and often comprise a combination of laser cut balsa, ply and carbon reinforcement. The trick is to make them strong, aerodynamically balanced and streamlined such that they will produce a practical model for either thermal flying or ridge slope flying They are typically designed in a 3D modeller such as 3D fusion 360 and produced using a laser cutter. However, fusion 360 has sophisticated parametric design capabilities and powerful API. The project could therefore be implemented at a number of different levels: 1. the simple parametric design of a thermal, rudder-elevator glider in Fusion, 2. the use of the API to and python interface to provide more flexibility of design and design goals (e.g. slope or thermal glider, two or four-servo wing, v-tail, delta, provision of ballast and carbon reinforcement, cost etc.), 3. possible extension to drone an FPV models, and 4. coupling with AI to provide advice on design and design rules.

Resources

GRID laser cutters

Background

Suit student with fusion360 experience and interest/curiosity in 3d design and model plane design

Url

Difficulty Level

Moderate

Ethical Approval

Full

Number Of Students

4

Supervisor

Mike Chantler

Keywords

3d parametric design, ai, interfaces laser cutters

Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Bachelor of Science in Computer Systems
Master of Engineering in Software Engineering
Bachelor of Science in Computing Science
Bachelor of Engineering in Robotics