Design and Performance Evaluation of a Flapping Wing Ornithopter

The goal of this study is to build an ornithopter. An ornithopter is a bird-like aircraft that can fly by flapping its wings. The ornithopter fuselage is designed using SolidWorks software, and it is made of a composite of carbon fiber and carbon glass fiber. With the help of high-pressure water jetting machine technology, the fuselage is carved. The wings are made up of ripstop nylon, a lightweight and durable material, and structural stabilization carbon rods and carbon strips are affixed. A microprocessor is installed in the ornithopter to regulate the operation of the electric motor powering the flapping mechanism. ESC, battery, motor, transmitter, and receiver are a few other electrical components that are employed. Extensive studies of the physics of wing flapping and the aerodynamics of bird flight are required for this endeavor. A load cell is attached to the ornithopter to examine the thrust and lift produced. It is observed that lift is mostly produced during the downstroke and negative lift during the upstroke. As the throttle percentage is raised, the flapping of the wings increases lift by 70%. Furthermore, the lift produced increases as the flapping frequency increases.