CREATIVITY AND THE ENGINEERING PARADIGM

This is some what of a spin off to the "Innovation and Industry" posted a couple of months back.

The methodologies for all things mechanical will always be regulated by mathematics and the nature and science of physics. As will most every thing consisting of matter. The of physics that we know and that which is yet to be known. If we attempt to manipulate the “regulation”  or the balances that govern physics and it’s effects, it must be done with preparation and a calculated, yet gradual process with it’s experimentation. As always there is a level of risk. The question is, how far are we willing to go? A combination of trial and error in association with all that has been learned for “what works and what does not” dictates how we move from design to the physical manufacture. We feel safe because we know what the limitations of the design are. Perhaps for most engineers, they stay within the barriers of the known. They may sit and discuss with their peers the theories of things and speculate as to the outcome if one should venture outside of the known. But, what about the unknown of physics? What is the depth of the unknown that may be beneficial to us once discovered? Now, I have no intention to discredit all that Engineers have given to the world. It’s their job to confirm or deny the validity of all things that are the result of design and the kinematics of the mechanical things of our lives. However, if it’s  done solely by theories, formulas, and predictions rather than physical experimentation it remains nothing more than intelligent speculation. Speculation still remains a part of the unknown. Though significant thought has been given to “it’s” plausible maturation from paper into the physical world, the success or failure will remain undiscovered. Staying within the known stifles creativity. It prevents unrestricted thinking or “thinking outside the box”. Design in the “realm” of what is not known requires a combination of all the above mentioned processes and physical experimentation.  Further, it will require one to accept the risk and put forth the effort when others will tell you it’s incorrect to do so. Simply to see what happens outside the known. Certainly not every Engineer stays within the confines of the known, but is anyone paying attention? This reality allows independent thinkers who are not certified in engineering to think without restriction. Their creativity usually has a good deal of depth. Sadly, some of these garage and  “innovators” may never see the full extent of what can come from their minds, because an Engineer or just some “dream crusher” said "you should not do so unless you‘ve been educated in the respective field of engineering.” Where in any engineer’s education has there been a class on the creativity of the mind? After all, even the Erie Canal was built by people with vision and creativity.... not one of them was a civil engineer.

Dave Hickman

Airframe Changes

I made significant changes to the airframe to lower the center of gravity. Both electric motors are still good. Still trying to track down a suitable mixer/speed controller. When I first started this prototype, I did not take into account the servo spacing. My patent drawing are for a manned platform. The servo pushes the upper airframe about 1 inch higher than it should be, displacing the weight and CG in a vertical manner. There is also a good chance that this is also what caused the torsion flex in the airframe and failure during the first tethered flight.
Regards,
Dave

OK.........I assembled everything , clicked on the power to discharge the battery for re-charging.....and the mixer went out. When I upgrade the motors, I failed to upgraded the battery and mixer. My thinking was that "what's a few volts less?" Foolish on my part because the motors pulled too much electricity through mixer....smelled wires burning. Fortunately, the motors are ok, but I need a new mixer and upgraded battery. Sorry everyone.

Dave

Rotor-prop teetering Hub/Horns

Rotor-prop teetering hub/horns are almost complete. It's steady but slow, shaping, balance check  and so on. Unless unforseen mechanical  issues arise, tether flight tomorrow.

Dave