Additive Manufacturing Materials and Design Considerations for Thunniform Propulsion

منو

" Additive Manufacturing Materials and Design Considerations for Thunniform Propulsion "
Spencer, Thomas

Document Type	:	AL
Record Number	:	927100
Doc. No	:	LA8041s91q
Language of Document	:	English
Main Entry	:	Spencer, Thomas
Title & Author	:	Additive Manufacturing Materials and Design Considerations for Thunniform Propulsion [Article]\ Spencer, Thomas
Title of Periodical	:	The Equilibrium
Volume/ Issue Number	:	3/1
Date	:	2017
Abstract	:	A series of polymer fins were designed and made using additive manufacturing techniques, to be tested by the Human Powered Submarine team at UC San Diego in a wet submarine that utilizes a thunniform method of propulsion. A 3D printer was also constructed in order to print these fins efficiently. Designs were inspired by the shape and semi-flexible properties of fish caudal fins. Materials utilized included polylactic acid (PLA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), PC-ABS blends, Nylon, and thermoplastic urethane (TPU) polymers. Of these materials, polycarbonate proved most practical for this application. Factors that were qualitatively considered during the practical testing were the material properties of a specific polymer, the surface area of the propulsive fin, and the shape of the fin. The low-cost polycarbonate processing techniques used in this project are also applicable to the additive manufacturing field in general.