The concept of establishing a laboratory for scaled demonstrators was initially formulated in 2023 and subsequently implemented in 2024.The facilities are currently undergoing substantial modifications to incorporate additional equipment and expand their capabilities. The primary objective of the laboratory is to enable the demonstration of structural designs and novel technologies through scaled experiments. By adhering to scaling laws during the fabrication of subscale demonstrators, a similarity can be maintained, thereby facilitating the extraction of insights for the investigated reference structure by the investigator.
Depending on the individual topic, and especially when conducting scaled flight experiments this involves close cooperation research partners like the Institute for flight guidance (IFF) to make effective use of the facilities.
The investigated demonstrators can be used in scaled flight experiments, but are obviously not limited to that, thereby, supporting lectures and the display of research results in general. By being available for both, the students and research assistants, the laboratory will put an emphasis on the actual implementation of the research and lead to a more practical and hands on experiences.
To achieve this mission, the laboratory is equipped with state-of-the art workbenches, electrical and mechanical tools as well as multiple 3d printers for rapid prototyping. In case more sturdy constructions are needed the support of our workshop is always helpful and greatly appreciated.
The initial research project to utilize the laboratory facilities is the EverScale Project of the Cluster of Excellence SE²A - Sustainable and Energy-Efficient Aviation [EXC 2163]. In collaboration with our colleagues at IFF, a preliminary aircraft design of a SE2A mid-range configuration is scaled using a framework of governing equations to perform a (demonstrative) aeroelastic scaling. Subsequent modifications to the design include the incorporation of supplementary measurement instrumentation and the construction of the aircraft in accordance with the established scaling laws. This approach is intended to allow for the demonstration of innovative active and passive load reduction methodologies developed in SE2A by scaled flight testing.
The lab also supported the IFL student group that participated in the DLR Design Challenge 2024 and won second place by 3D printing their outstanding “VoltAirs-95” aircraft design.