Competitive design of the mechanical structure for a flying robot

The paper presents the competitive development of the mechanical structure for a flying robot. Starting from a predetermined set of requirements, based on the present state of knowledge in the field, using competitive design tools and techniques the requirements were evaluated. Afterwards, they were used to identify the critical characteristics needed by the flying structure. The critical characteristics were evaluated against the requirements in order to identify the most important characteristics. The functions of the flying robot structure were also identified and evaluated. A series of constructive variations for the mechanical structure were design using computer aided graphics and evaluated through the use of computer aided engineering tools. In order to identify the most appropriate structure for the initially identified requirements, the constructive variants were evaluated against the critical characteristics. For the constructive variant identified as the most appropriate a set of studies were undertaken to determine the wing spam and the joining points for the wing elements. Using competitive development tools through a dedicated software package, combined with the use of computer aided engineering software packaged, all interested parties in the development of the robot were able to collaborate in an effective and efficient manner. The effect of the collaboration resulted in a biomimetic mechanism that closely replicates the wing movements of birds.