CUAir
Cornell University Unmanned Air Systems
Mechanical 2016-2018 | Mechanical Lead 2018-2019 | Ground Systems 2019-2020
About the Team
CUAir is a interdisciplinary project team on Cornell's campus that designs, builds, and tests a fully autonomous fixed wing aircraft.
The team competes in AUVSI SUAS every June in Maryland.
Orion | 2018-2019
Mechanical LeadReintroduced a fully composite design to improve durability
Twin motors increase system redundancy to protect against propulsion failures
Introduction of the Unmanned Ground Vehicle, designed to be dropped in flight to a precise target location, and autonomously drive to a secondary location
Composite Design and Manufacturing
Completed a Composites Design of Experiments in 2018 to explore different layup methods, material choices, and constraints of geometries
Gained experience with infusion and wet painted layups using both carbon fiber and fiber glass
Knowledgeable in designing for composites, mold design, and composite post-processing
In 2019, cut fuselage shell weight by over 35% through material reevaluation
Reduced overall fabrication time through mold redesign and redesigned post-processing processes
Theia I & II| 2016-2018
Mechanical MemberModular design utilizing rapid manufacturing practices to minimize production time
Theia II built on Theia I, with redesigned air delivery and propulsion systems
Highest ranked UAV in the U.S. (2017) and highest ranked fixed wing UAV in the world (2018) at AUVSI SUAS
Airdrop | 2017-2018
Designed to deliver an 8 oz. water bottle to drop location during flight, with the objective of dispersing on impact at the drop target
Goal of improving the reliability through increased simplicity, and improving access and ease of repairs
Linear actuator used as support and release mechanism, reducing down to singular failure point
Adjustable enclosure allows bottle to remain under C.G. as fuselage position shifts with respect to wings
Consistent deployment time increased target accuracy by an average of 35 ft.
Electronics Bay
Holds 7 flight critical electronic payloads in fuselage
Easy to access all electronics and connection points without removing from aircraft
Layout optimized available space to provide maximum clearance for connections, wiring, and heat transfer around electronics
Decreased weight from previous electronics bay by 48%