Pre-Engineering & Design II and Advanced
Project #5 the Science Olympiad- the Elastic Launched Glider
What is Aerospace Engineering?
Aerospace engineering is the design, testing, and manufacturing of air and space vehicles.
Aerospace engineers design, build, analyze, and troubleshoot components of aircraft,
spacecraft, missiles, and space planes. Aerospace engineering is divided into two main
categories. Aeronautics is the design of aircraft, and astronautics deals with the design of
spacecraft. Aerospace engineers study concepts such as fluid dynamics, aerodynamics,
principles of flight, and aircraft and spacecraft design.
Goal
The goal of this project is to design and build an elastic launched glider that will go the furthest
and stay in the air the longest. You will utilize all stages of the design process:
1. Definition of the Problem
2. Idea Generation
3. Solution Creation (prototype #1)
4. Testing/Analysis
5. Final Output
6. Design Improvement
7. & then start all over again with another idea generation, solution creation (prototype
#2),… & then repeat all steps again for prototype #3
Research
Refer to my website builditcafe.weebly.com to watch the birds in flight and Bernoulli’s Principle
videos. Understand Air Foil, Lift, and Drag and Newton’s Laws which apply to Aerodynamics.
Then go to my website mszacharia.weebly.com and watch the flight videos and complete the
NASA worksheet. Using your research start to design your glider.
Build Prototypes (3 minimum)
Construction Parameters:
- Wingspan must not exceed 28 centimeters
- Launch Handle must be less than 1 meter long and the elastic used must be in contact
with the glider throughout the launch.
Testing
Test how each prototype functions. Did you build it according to the design parameters? Did
you maximize the size of the wingspan and launch handle? Did you apply the principles of
flight? Engineers test their products based on 5 criteria. Consider the criteria listed below in
each of your prototypes. State what you changed in each successive prototype.
Function:
Does it work properly?
Will it withstand repeated use?
Does it work smoothly?
Does the product complete its task at the correct speed?
Does the product meet minimum requirements?
Fit:
Can this design be produced efficiently?
Do different parts of the design intervere with other parts?
Does this design fit in the consumer’s hand?
Is this product comfortable to use?
Are there ways we can make this product more usable?
Aesthetics
Is the product visually appealing?
Will consumers purchase this product based on its appearance?
Is the product the correct size and color?
What could make this product more appealing?
Does this product look like it can solve the problem?
Is the design too plain or too radical in appearance?
Safety
Is the material strong enough to support proper function?
Will this product be dangerous to produce because of its design?
Will parts of this design be unsafe when wet?
Will any pieces break during usage?
Will any pieces pose a choking hazard for young children?
Does this product meet all government safety regulations?
Environmental Impact
What environmental impact will occur during the production of this product?
Are there waste materials associated with the manufacturing of this product?
What types of waste materials are produced when using this product?
How will this product be disposed of when it is no longer useful?
What is this product’s ecological footprint?
Are there potential risks if this product malfunctions?
Solidworks Assignment:
Model each prototype and label with proper terminology highlighting the changes in each
design.
Documentation:
Document your entire project in a power point presentation. Show pictures and solidworks
models of each prototype. Answer applicable testing criteria questions. Describe how you
improved each successive prototype. How would you modify this project?
Project due: Thursday, February 6, 2014
Sources:
Brown, Ryan A., Brown, Joshua W., Berkeihiser, Michael. Engineering Fundamentals: Design,
Principles, and Careers. Tinley Park, IL. The Goodheart-Willcox Company, Inc., 2014.
http://www.nasa.gov/