3/20/22 Drone Landing Platform Progress

Below are some images of one of the configurations of the WAM-V Drone landing platform that the team has ideated. 

Some of the requirements we set for the design were: 

1. Limited to no machining required
2. No alterations to the WAM-V platform 
3. Provide assurance that drone will not slip off platform
4. Allow space for mounting batteries and electronics on the platform away from the water line of the the WAM-V

These requirements were accomplished through: 

1. Utilizing 8020 extrusions and brackets to create the landing platform
2. Attaching the platform to the WAM-V with ratchet straps
3. Including pitched walls on the edges of the platform 
4. Elevate the landing platform to accommodate space for the electronics

Link to 3D model: Here

Restricting sideways movement of the drone landing platform by placing extrusions onto the side rails

Illustrating the front ratchet strap in CAD (secures platform onto WAM-V)

Picture of the front ratchet strap that would secures the platform onto WAM-V

Illustrating the back ratchet straps that secure the drone platform to the WAM-V

Illustrating the back ratchet straps securing the drone platform to the WAM-V IRL

Link to the interactive 3D model here

Side view of the drone landing platform without the WAM-V

Front and back view of the drone landing platform without the WAM-V

Top and Bottom view of the drone landing platform without the WAM-V

After getting the design reviewed by one of our mentors, Kevin Bower, we saw:

1. Ratchet straps are not a good permanent solution as they can expand and contract. Usage of straps take away from the craftsmanship of the WAM-V. We can replace the ratchet straps with metal pieces or we can drill into the WAM-V platform and secure the drone landing platform into the WAM-V with bolts. 
2. The pitched walls will provide little in securing the drone onto the platform. Actuators that clasp the drone when landed would be more effective in keeping the drone on the platform. This is similar to the Planck Aerosystems design for their line of products. 

Plank Aerosystems Forward Imagery Project 

Link to demo video: Here