Moving from the drawing board to the real deal, the 3D printed prototype stage is where things start to take shape, quite literally. We’re not fancy—we’re using additive manufacturing to turn our digital brainchildren into something you can touch. It’s hands-on, with a lot of trial and error. Each layer of the prototype is like a page in our learning journey, a physical testament to how we’re pushing the boundaries of what we can build in the ETH Student Project House.
Our Design
We are developing our aircraft in three phases and are currently in the 3D printed prototype phase.
Design concept
Every prototype kickstarts with a good old sketch. In this phase, we’re not afraid to get our hands dirty, exploring different designs and configurations. We’re crunching numbers, figuring out the aerodynamics, and plotting our mission profile. It’s the nitty-gritty, where we shape the blueprint for what’s about to become the fastest RC aircraft, and every stroke on that sketch board is a step closer to making it real.
3D printed prototype
Jet turbine design
Now, in the final design stage, we’re bringing together high-tech stuff and some serious power with that jet turbine. No rocket science—just a lot of tweaking and refining. We’re aiming for crazy speeds, but it’s all about finding that sweet spot. It’s the stage where everything comes together, a bit like a gearhead’s dream, where every bolt tightened and every adjustment made is a step towards creating an RC aircraft that’s not just fast but a testament to our grit and determination to do things a bit differently.
Where we stand
The road is long but we are determined. Find out what we’ve already done and where we’re going next.
Early concepts
Exploring the design space
Using fast prototyping software we explored different concepts and configurations. We experimented with different wings, tail configurations and fuselage designs. Using data from simulations we improved our drag and lift coefficents.
Analyzing for feasibility
We have developed custom software to assess our different designs and get first performance estimates. We take multiple flight phases and different mission designs into account to calculate maximum takeoff weight, flight time and other performance metrics to get a feeling for the behavior of our future physical concept.
Approaching reality
We are currently building our first electric propeller prototype to validate our models and refine our CAD design and manufacturing processes. Feedback from our test pilot will give us further information on how to improve our design. Follow us on Instagram to see more!