Video

Satchel Sieniewicz and 2 OthersEric Yuchen Song
Daniel Jiang

Process

Satchel Sieniewicz and 2 OthersDaniel Jiang
Eric Yuchen Song

On August 3rd we were told to create a unique flying object. It was difficult to come up with a unique flying object unlike anything that has been done before. Eventually, we decided to take inspiration from Eric's favourite sport; frisbee. We came up with the idea of a remote controlled frisbee that will be able to control the yaw, pitch and roll.

Our first iteration was a prototype made of cardboard. We began to discuss ideas, and work out how to build such a device. But soon enough, we realized that that it had started to become just another propeller powered ufo. Also, we had realized that it would only be able to control the height of the frisbee. As a group, we decided that it would not be a good idea to continue with our first iteration due to it being like any other drone or ufo.

Our second iteration was based off of the idea of being able to turn the frisbee mid air, instead of every direction, due to that idea being very difficult to make. We came up with several ideas, one of which was by using a flap, or a propeller to add drag or lift to one side of the frisbee while it was spinning. By using a digital compass, and an accelerometer, we discussed with one would be lighter, easier to make, and more likely to succeed. In the end, we agreed on the flap idea. After several different attempts in creating the frisbee, we finalized the design as you can see in last picture. Meanwhile, we also worked on wiring the electronics, and balancing the frisbee in a way that would allow for an equal weight on all sides of the frisbee. Therefore, it would be able to throw just like a frisbee. 

One of the greatest problems that we faced while building our frisbee, was the programming. We struggled greatly with programming with arduino, since this new program was one that none of us have had much experience with. Although with great effort, and a lot of time, we were able to control the flap on the frisbee. 

And on thursday, we were able to create a working model, and we flew it in the park in the afternoon. We were able to turn it just a bit and that was enough to tilt the frisbee. Although in theory we thought it would work quite well, but in reality, it just didn't work the way we wish it could have. As of now, only the shape of the frisbee really changed, we don't have enough time to change the code, or the equipment. 

Our Final Product is a foam frisbee that has a a 3D printed rim that allows the frisbee to have a more aerodynamic flight when it is thrown. All the electronics are attached to the the bottom of the frisbee that prevents the electronics from breaking in case it has a crash landing. The flap is programmed to open at a specific angle when the frisbee is spinning so that there is drag on one side of the frisbee allowing for it to tilt over and turn. 

Final

Satchel Sieniewicz and 2 OthersDaniel Jiang
Eric Yuchen Song

As we may have mentioned before, our design prompt was that Eric likes frisbee and we thought that it would be fun if we could modify it ever so slightly. We began with the idea that we wanted to raise and lower the frisbee, as well as turn it. We realized that this idea was just turning the frisbee into a ufo, rather than a frisbee. So we started again and this time David gave us a digital compass to work with. After several discussions, whether to use a propeller or a flap to decrease lift on one side of the frisbee, we agreed on the flap idea. And as you can see in the gif, that was our final product