Use of 3D printing technology in the aviation industry on an example of numerical experimental stress state analysis of unmanned aerial vehicle wing

The article presents the results of static tests performed on the primary support structures of a TWISST-ter unmanned aircraft constructed using additive manufacturing techniques commonly known as 3D printing. The primary goal of the experiment was determining the material effort of the structure in order to assess the feasibility of such an engineering solution in terms of material mechanics. Considering the fact that the properties of 3D printed elements are not widely known, both destructive experimental methods and finite element methods were used. During the experimental trails, the ARAMIS deformation measurement system, based on digital three-dimensional image correlation, was used. The results of this experiment allowed for the calibration of the numerical model as achieving convergence with experimentally determined strain fields. This approach ensured the correctness of the numerical determined stress state. Based on the results of the study, the necessary design improvements were implemented and a general conclusion was formed regarding of the numerical analysis of structures made through 3D printing.