Session: DFMLC-03-03: Design for Additive Manufacturing

Paper Number: 143543

143543 - Path Optimization From En Route 3d Printed Aircraft Using Physics-Based Estimation Methods and Surrogate Models 

In a previous study, a general approach to increasing the
range capability of an unmanned aerial system was assessed by
3D printing components or parts for the UAS while a carrier
platform, of both the printer and UAS systems, travels to a launch
point for the UAS. As a result, the platform could launch the
UAS from a distance further away from the location of interest.
This paper outlines the parameters of a physics-based model
to determine the actual range increase of an attritable aircraft,
constrained by the amount of time available for printing while en
route. It develops the formulation of the UAS range increase from
lift-to-drag ratio increases caused by the physical wing section
enhancements printed in a constrained amount of time while
the carrier platform travels from one location to another. The
relationship is leveraged to optimize the shortest path necessary
for the carrier platform to access or reach the set of locations
of interest in an operational environment. Scenarios of up to
15 locations are explored by first optimizing the sequence of the
locations in a traveling salesman problem and then optimizing
the actual path taken by the carrier platform along that sequence.
Statistical results are presented to summarize the benefits of 3D
printing en route across different scenarios

Presenting Author: Tevin Dickerson Brigham Young University

Presenting Author Biography: Tevin is a PhD student at Brigham Young University studying Aerospace Systems Engineering. He is part of BYU's flow lab, Design exploration research lab, Robotics lab, and Micro Air Vehicle lab. He spends his free time building UAVs, building motorcycle engines, dirt biking, and rock climbing.

Authors:

Tevin Dickerson Brigham Young University
John Salmon Brigham Young University
Christopher Mattson Brigham Young University