Fabrication of a SWATH vessel scale model for seakeeping tests using rapid prototyping methods

This paper describes the techniques used to fabricate a one meter long, 1/6 scale model of a Small Waterplane Area, Twin Hull (SWATH) Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) that will be used primarily for dynamic seakeeping testing in the MIT Tow Tank. The model represents a design conceived by Stefano Brizzolara, which will be used for launching, recovering, and servicing Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) at sea. Construction methods included a number of rapid prototyping methods rarely used for this kind of project, including 3D printing, lasercutting, and spraypainting. The benefits and disadvantages of each of these processes will be discussed. Although there was insufficient time to conduct any tow tank tests, several data-recording techniques are reviewed which may be used by future students continuing the research of this vessel.

Department dc:contributor.department

Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Mechanical Engineering.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2013

Author dc:creator

• DiMino, John Robert

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Stefano Brizzolara.

• Mechanical Engineering.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/83709

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/83709