Week 18: Testing Preparations Underway!

The CNC machining of the top plate is officially done! Next up, we’ve locked in six hours of machining on Tuesday to complete the manifold. The final step? Drilling the angled holes in the top plate using an angled vise and manual mill. We’re also fully stocked with all the necessary fittings and connectors, bringing us closer to assembly. To streamline the process, Rohan 3D-printed the manifold’s sensor mounting surface for a final fit check before machining.

Instead of diving headfirst into complex simulations, our CFD team is taking a smart approach—starting with simpler geometries to fine-tune accuracy before scaling up. This method will ensure our Ansys simulations are rock-solid when applied to our final model. Another exciting update: Alex has finalized our LabVIEW VI, so all sensors are now set up and ready for data collection. With manufacturing, CFD, and data acquisition moving forward quickly, we’re entering the final stretch before wind tunnel testing.

Exciting times ahead—stay tuned as we push toward the finish line!

Gainesville, FL, USA – FEBRUARY 5: Top plate fully CNCed and ready to be fit onto the wind tunnel test section.
CNC machining the top plate
Gainesville, FL, USA – FEBRUARY 5: Top plate in the CNC being machined to size. Coolant sprays onto the workpiece to avoid tool overheating while removing large amounts of material.

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