At PNRPU, Scientists Develop Design for 3D-Printed Underwater Vehicle
The approach is significantly cheaper than traditional manufacturing methods.
Researchers at Perm National Research Polytechnic University (PNRPU) have developed a design for a compact underwater vehicle that can be manufactured using 3D printing. The approach makes the vehicle lighter and less expensive than models produced using metal casting.
The vehicle also has an unconventional form factor. Instead of a cylindrical hull, the researchers propose a streamlined design that improves maneuverability in the water. They have also replaced a conventional propeller with a water jet: water is drawn into the vehicle and forcefully expelled through a nozzle that can be directed in different directions.
“In addition to the new design, we developed a smart control system. If the vehicle starts tilting forward, backward or to one side, the system brings it back to an upright position. This will help the vehicle maintain a stable position at depth and stay on course even in strong currents,” said Pavel Kuleshov, an associate professor in PNRPU’s Department of Information Technologies and Automated Systems.
