Design, Fabrication and Analysis of a Bio-Inspired Robotic Flapping Wing

This paper explores flapping flight as an effective form of locomotion for aerial vehicles. Albeit having light weight and low noise, flapping wing robots offer potential advantages in maneuverability and energy saving compared with other kind of aerial vehicles. In this study, a flapping wing aerial vehicle is designed and fabricated. In order to generate power from motor to wings, a particular gearbox is designed and fabricated. A novel wing transmission system is also presented which helps the robot to have a better performance. Lift and drag force components vary with different parameters such as the flapping wing robot s wing airfoil shape, size, angle of attack, and fabricating materials. This is one of the complexities of these vehicles; since their lift and thrust vary to a large extent. The design and fabrication processes are discussed in detail and the performance of the resulting structure is elucidated by the thrust generated. To mimic the flying mechanisms of nature s flyers such as birds or insects, the aerodynamic characteristics related to the birds and flapping wings are investigated and the aerodynamic analysis for the fabricated model is presented.