PENGEMBANGAN METODE MANUFAKTUR PROPELER KOMPOSIT DENGAN METODE VACUUM ASSISTED RESIN TRANSSFER MOLDING (VARTM) MENGGUNAKAN CETAKAN 3D PRINT

• Main Author: Salsabilla Widodo, Adzkia
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/49691
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Pusher propellers with 24 – 28” size, widely used in UAV aircraft. Composite materials are chosen to meet the needs of the propeller strength. In previous studies, VARTM method was chosen as the manufacturing method of the propeller’s skin. However, the quality of geometrical conformity became an issue. The mold is considered to have a significant influence in determining geometrical conformity. By using 3D Print Technology, the mold is formed based on the desired propeller design. In the mold manufacturing process, several parameters are considered to produce the desired mold, including: filament material, the division of the mold pieces, and the shape and size of the raft that forms the mold. Then, finishing is done in form of filling the raft parts, sanding, and coating the mold. The skin manufacturing process is carried out using VARTM method. The parameters to be considered are the type of fiber and matrix, the viscosity value of the matrix, the vacuum pressure, and the distance between the inlet and outlet installation. After that, the propeller skin is cut conforming its shape. The last process is the assembly and finishing. The hub is balsa wood and the core is polyurethane foam or a mixture of resin and aerosil. Later, the assembly is carried out based on the method appropriate for the core filling material. The results and analysis of the three processes show that the geometrical conformity of the 3D print manufacturing results is considered very good because it has an error value of 3.67%. Propeller’s skin manufacturing can be conducted with several selected parameters. Assembly activities are successfully carried out with the selected hub and core materials. An evaluation of propeller measurements and balancing are also conducted which were considered good.