A flying insect model for wind tunnel Expriments

Flying Insects drew a lot of attentions for decades because of their high flight performance, which are just man made aircrafts desired. To study the attitude control methods of insects, an enlarged mechanical insect model was designed for wind tunnel experiments. This model was 45mm span wide, 27mm long and 6.5mm high, and 1.7g in weight. It was capable of programmable wing flapping, both in frequency and amplitude, and the center of flapping angle could be shifted during the experiment instantaneously by instructions. A micro motor was used as the actuator to drive the wings to flap. This insect mechanical model can be used in wind tunnel experiments both statically and dynamically to study the attitude control method of insects during their flight.