making it fly • eng student @airbus • cad @zoodotdev
Germany
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started learning more about composites
mostly how ply orientation and stacking sequences affect their mechanical behavior, but also the challenges of turning them into actual structures
i think there’s still a lot of room for innovation in how we design and manufacture composites, especially with developments in thermoplastics
looking forward to seeing how the next generation of aircraft will make use of these advancements
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Ben’s Build Log #16
With KCL 3.0 released, I asked Zookeeper to migrate the entire project, review the existing code and make sure everything still worked as intended.
With that done, I finished the propeller spacer, making use of the improved fillet capabilities in KCL 3.0 to smooth out the transitions around the mounting bolts and structural ribs.
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Ben’s Build Log #15
Moving on to the propeller, I asked Zookeeper to design a mounting plate that fits the existing crankshaft flange.
I had him start with a sketch so I could review and validate the design before letting him turn it into the final 3D part.
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Ben’s Build Log #14
With the rest of the engine components in place, I asked Zookeeper to create a functional linkage between the camshaft lobes and the valves.
The first result already had the basic mechanism in place, but some of the geometry still needed refinement.
After a few adjustments to make the setup cleaner and more realistic, the engine internals were finally complete.
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Follow along as Ben builds a single engine aircraft!
This is much more real than y’all’s one shot planes you keep showing on here haha
Ben’s Build Log #13
While reviewing the engine assembly, I realized there was a deeper logic issue in the way I had arranged the layout.
After working through the problem with Zookeeper and exploring a few possible fixes, I reworked the affected geometry to better match the flat-four configuration typical for this kind of aircraft engine.
The result is a more mechanically plausible setup that I’m much happier to continue with.
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ben retweeted
Ben’s Build Log #13
While reviewing the engine assembly, I realized there was a deeper logic issue in the way I had arranged the layout.
After working through the problem with Zookeeper and exploring a few possible fixes, I reworked the affected geometry to better match the flat-four configuration typical for this kind of aircraft engine.
The result is a more mechanically plausible setup that I’m much happier to continue with.
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found flying whales, a startup exploring new use cases for airships
they’re developing a 200m airship to carry up to 60 tons of cargo
no idea if the economics will work out, but aviation would be pretty boring if nobody tried stuff like this
during my trip to the bodensee region, we often saw zeppelins flying overhead
airships are obviously an old concept, but they’re still incredibly impressive to see in person
makes me wonder if startups will be able to find niche use cases where they can become viable
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Ben’s Build Log #12
An important part of the crankshaft and camshaft setup is the timing connection that keeps both shafts synchronized.
In a four-stroke engine the camshaft rotates at half the crankshaft speed, so I had Zookeeper create a 2:1 gear setup between them.
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flying to LA next week for @zoodotdev
and i get to do it on the most impressive commercial aircraft ever built
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Ben’s Build Log #11
In the Zoo Aquarium, I came across a different approach to generating a wing’s NACA profile, so I asked Zookeeper to compare it with the method I was already using.
Turns out my approach was better suited for this model, so I kept it and completed the wing assembly with the final additions of the ailerons and outer skin.
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been thinking a lot about what comes after my bachelor studies lately
current plan is to move to los angeles and get a master in aerospace engineering
mostly because i want to get out of europe for a while, be around a different mindset and get some US aerospace experience along the way
still some time until then, but right now i can’t think of a better place to do it
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