The Quadcopter Design Based on Integrated Model Environment

Abstract

Introduction. The deals with the multi/interdisciplinary approach to designing the unmanned aerial vehicle (quadcopter) based on the use of the integrated model environment. The designing process is implemented as creating different types of models: natural (physics) and virtual. Materials and Methods. The virtual model is understood to be a set of mathematical, algorithmic, program and 3D models maintaining its functioning in virtual environment. The design decision represents a set of the design-technology documentation including the integrated model of the designed project, whose components are connected with each other. The natural (physics) part of the integrated model environment includes the following components: a carrier system, shell details, electromechanical and electronic systems for controlling navigation, telemetry and sensory. For the carrier systems and shells there used polyamide bionic parts, which are purchased and printed on the 3D printer; the basic element of electronic system is the flight controller ArduPilot (ArduCopter). The virtual environment of modelling is formed on the basis of CAD/CAE/CAM/PDM/PLM SolidWorks (Motion, Simulation). The main tools, used for creating the communications between models of different types and levels, are the COM technology, API CAD/CAE/CAM/PDM/PLM system, MS Visual Studio C++, which allow developing the integrated interface for controlling the flight and planning the trajectory in the real and virtual environment. Results. The integrated (natural and virtual) model environment for the quadcopter is developed. On this basis, the design decision in the form of a real object and its virtual model is made. The state and behaviour of these objects is controlled and guided by the software having access both to a real object and to its 3D model. The received result can be considered as the tool of engineering for the solution of a wide range of scientific, technical and production tasks: performing defectoscopy, diagnosing emergencies, and 3D-scanning remote and hard-to-reach objects. Discussion and Conclusion. The research shows the efficiency of the approach to designing as to process of creating the multi/interdisciplinary models of different types and levels. At the same time, the problem of integrating these models into a coherent whole by forming bidirectional associative communications has assumed particular importance. The technological (program) means for synchronizing a state and behaviour of the natural and virtual models of design objects require further development.