Mars Entomopter (Ornithopter) concept inspired by Robert C. Michelson
Sometime back when I was a child in the late 90s/early 2000s I've seen this dragonfly robot concept on the internet/Youtube/Google video and it was a really cool idea, and it was developed by Robert C. Michelson, he was showing an idea of utilizing the concept of resonance to power both of the wings, where they both would oscillate side to side half phase of each other, and doing so would make it more power efficient, but with every new radical idea comes practicality issues and doubts from others, since it had shown little potential here on earth, it doesn't mean it would've had worked on another alien world, with its thin atmosphere and the lack of computer power compared to now in the 90s it wouldn't be able to be automatous enough to adapt in the harsh environment. I'm fascinated about over the top ideas from those times and after some time researching about it, searching for already available model online, to my surprise there wasn't none? So, I decided to model this using fusion 360 using references from his paper/presentation slides and other info from his official site to re-create his Entomopter. Geometrically was simple in design for the tube-like body, but the wings were a little tricky to get it just right, lucky he had the wing design info on the pdf. After some research I've realized that he actually 3d printed this in yellow that's where his physical model in his hand came from! I still get surprised about how 3d printing was around that early in time. So, I got this modeled, printed, and painted, When putting together, slide in the shaft towards the center of the body, then place the wings in until you feel them connect, it'll be a loose fit but you'll know they are connected when you articulate on wing the other should eventually move with it, I DIDN'T GLUE MINE THE PAINT MADE IT A SNUG FRICTION FIT BUT YOU MAY NEED TO CONSIDER IT YOURSELF! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Entomopter#
My Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@autismbawsome0
Print settings-
uncheck detect thin walls, if not wings will look rough
3 walls/loops for strength/detail
default 0.2 mm layer height
default infill- 15%
Type of Filament- PLA, other types may work IDK
Printer used- Bambu labs X1C, should work on other brands
SUPPORTS- YES, Slim tree support, YOU'LL NEED TO SUPPORT PANT THE WINGS SO THEY DO FALL OVER/WIGGLE OFF THE BUILD PLATE!
Brims- YES
PARTS ARE OREINTATED HOW I PRINTED IT MYSELF, as in the wings are pointed up tip on bottom, and body pointed up with the camera upwards
Central Shaft is printed laying down with brim and supports