Design: 2 Wing 3 Gear
Definition: An ornithopter is simply an aircraft that flies by flapping its wings.
Description: In this project I use current materials and fabrication methods in order to expand the knowledge base around designing and building ornithopters. It is my hope that this knowledge can be used as a resource from hobbyists to research interested in biomimicry and flapping flight.
Presently information on making electronically powered ornithopters is kind of scarce so unless you are deep diving into ornithopter forums or scrubbing though videos at 0.25 speed clear information can be kind of difficult to come by.
I think this information could be used as a potential starting point that can be integrated into future work or projects. Which lets others pick up and iterate on the designs I left off.
Balancing the weight and power of the 6V motor this ornithopter uses gears to flap the wings.
This ornithopter translated the rotational motion of a small geared 6 volt motor (up to 6 volts of operational voltage) into a linear flapping motion of the wings. It uses gears to reduce the circulation speed of the motor to the flapping speed.
The main frame is 3D printed and connected together with M2 nuts and bolts. The tail frame is also 3d printed and the film over the wings and tail is made of mylar. There is also a wooden spar made of balsa wood connecting the wings and tail of the ornithopter.
As for the electronics there is the small geared DC motor, on/ off switch and a quick connection for a battery. The motor is also able to be quickly switched out by removing the gear that is friction fitted to the D shaft of the motor.
