User:Natebeger/enes100/My Work P3

Airplane Float

Write problem/project Goal
What is your wording of the overall problem/project goal?
 * To design and create and airplane float that floats the longest.

My First Task
What are you going to do for the team this first weekend?
 * Design and start creation of my airplane float.

Summary of actual work over first weekend
How is what you did different than what you planned? I designed a plane that is light weight made from light weight materials. Thin pieces of wood and plastic wrap. I used the propeller and rubber band system from a kit.

Week1 Narrative
Tell a detailed story describing what you did for your team over the weekend.
 * I started the project with slivers of wood.(1/18)*(1/18) by 24" and (1/8)*(3/16) by 24". I used the thicker wood as the main support for the plane. I used the thinner (1/18)*(1/18) wood for the wings due to them being lighter in weight. I cut the main frame piece to 18" and attached a propeller from a plane kit. I then created the wing structure to be 21" in length with 3" width. I used 4 pieces of wood as support beams. IMG 20120419 151103.jpg
 * I then used the thicker wood to attach the main wing to the center frame. By cutting 45 angles on the top and the bottom of the 3" pieces of wood IMG 20120419 154451.jpg.
 * I glued them together but could not match them exactly as they should be. After that I created the tail using the (1/18)*(1/18) by 24". I made the wing start as 3" then widen to 7" with a width of 2". I used the thicker wood to attach the tail wing. By cutting 45 degree cuts in the top and bottom of 3 inch piece of wood. I glued those together. Next I needed a back support to hold the rubber band. I carved a hole in the main beam and stuffed a little bit of wood into the hole with some glue. This design doesn't float well and needs have the rubber band go for longer. Maybe a more powerful propeller needs to be disdained instead of using an already made one.
 * IMG 20120419 175108.jpg

After the test, the plane did a quick climb but instantly went to a nose dive. I then tested the flight with out the propeller. The current propeller system seems to have no affect to the flight.

My Second Task
Record what you are planning on doing for the team during the second weekend.


 * Modify my previous design for better results. Come up with designs to a stronger propeller.

Summary of actual work over second weekend
How is what you did different than what you planned?
 * I modified my previous design but didn't come up with a new design for a propeller.

Week2 Narrative
Tell a detailed story describing what you did for your team over the weekend.
 * I took off the extra support beam that held up the wings and glued it directly to the main beam. The I found the center of balance and moved the rear wing up closer to the front wing to properly adjust it. Overall I lowered the weight and adjusted the center of balance. After test flight the plane glided a few seconds longer but still had the same issue with the propeller having no affect.

My Third task
Record what you are planning on doing for the team during the third weekend.
 * Design a propeller to help the aircraft stay up for longer.

Summary of actual work over third weekend
How is what you did different than what you planned?
 * Instead of working on a propeller I just enhanced the rubber band duration. I then made designs to fix a parachute on the top of the plan.

Week3 Narrative
Tell a detailed story describing what you did for your team over the weekend.
 * Over this weekend I came up with designs for parachutes to attach to me plane. One design had one large parachute attached to the front and back using similar material to the G.I Joe parachute using lightweight string. Realizing on large parachute would create to much drag as the plane is thrown. I moved to the idea of using smaller parachutes attached to the front and tail wing, two chutes on the front wing and larger one on the tail to make it level. I then realized that wings make block the function of the parachutes. Then I came up with the idea of using two smallish parachutes on the front of the plane and the back of the plane to level it out. There was still an issue of drag and the chutes opening when the plane is being launched. I came up with an idea of using double sided tape to attach to the frame and partial the chute. Leaving an opening on the bottom to allow it to be opened up when falling. The last thing I did was incorporate a launcher to it. I was thinking a sling shot to shoot it far into the air allowing a longer distance for the parachutes to work.

My Fourth task
''Record what you are planning on doing for the team during the final weekend of project work. ''
 * Creating the chute mechanism.

Summary of actual work over fourth weekend
How is what you did different than what you planned?
 * I did not create the chute mechanism but looked up propellers to buy/design.

Week4 Narrative
Tell a detailed story describing what you did for your team over the weekend.
 * The first thing I looked into is how to build one and I came across this design that can vary in design and gives step by step instructions,http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/plane/propeller.htm. On the website it also mentions a place where a person can buy different variations of propellers, http://www.kelvin.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=LRPPPR. These range around the five dollar range. I searched several different websites but the propeller construction was very similar but did not have pictures as the one provided earlier. I also was looking into what they used on the propeller and discovered they a rubber strip not rubber bands. The strip provide a longer duration of spin time especially when the strip is lubricated to provide less friction. http://www.faimodelsupply.com/ this website sells the rubber and sells kits to build your own gliders.

Complete Team Page
Fill out the Team Form (should have already copied the form, created the team page, linked to it and started filling it out).