When Leonardo HD wanted to test the aerodynamic soundness of its AW609 tilt-rotor aircraft, it tapped CRP Technology to create a 3D-printed model of the aircraft to run wind tunnel tests.
CRP created a 1:8.5 scale replica of the aircraft by using selective laser sintering to create parts of the model—nose and cockpit, rear fuselage, nacelles, external fuel tanks and fairings. The parts were made out of CRP’s Windform XT 2.0 carbon-composite materials. This material, used extensively…
Source URL: Using 3D Printing to Create a Wind Tunnel Aircraft Model
Source Website: Advance Engineering – Engineering.com