Blades Prototype Design Criteria

Materials Allowed for Prototype:

  • CORI cardboard and connectors

  • CORI string

  • CORI wooden dowels

  • Hot glue

  • Super glue gel

  • Chipboard sheets

  • Balsawood sheets

  • Printer paper

  • Poster board paper

  • Popsicle sticks

  • Tongue depressors & popsicle sticks

You can only use the materials listed above. Use of any non-approved materials will result in disqualification from the competition.

Kit Packages to Open:

  • "Tools and Adhesives"

  • "Paper Package"

  • "Design-Build Package"

  • CORI boxed kit

Please use the provided safety wear and equipment when using tools, including safety glasses, cutting mats, and protective gloves.

Be sure to budget your limited quantity of materials!

As the partner building the BLADES DESIGN, you must allocate your material usage appropriately. You will be expected to build:

  • TWO - FOUR different prototype blade designs to be tested during Week 2 and 3 of COSMOS

  • ONE final prototype blades design to be tested during Week 4 of COSMOS (if you choose, you can utilize one of your previous blades as the final design)

  • ONE final TOWER DESIGN as provided by your partner's final drawings during Week 3 of COSMOS (this may utilize a lot of CORI cardboard, coordinate with your partner throughout the project regarding how much CORI cardboard you need to save to build their final design)

Blades Goals

Follow these goals for your blades design to meet the requirements listed on the right and work towards having the best Performance Index.

  • Lightweight blades (this represents staying under budget). The lighter the better! Consider all your materials options.

  • Structural stiffness and accurate angle of attack - while these are not directly in the P.I., designing stiff blades and finding the correct angle for the blade will result in a higher performance.

  • Taller towers will receive a wind energy bonus! This will increase your P.I. for the blades.

  • Energy production - the energy output by the blades will be measured and compared to a class baseline value. The faster the blades spin, the higher the energy production.

  • Aesthetically pleasing - the final combined Wind Turbine Tower will be judged on creativity and workmanship

Design Requirements

Your BLADES portion of the Wind Turbine Tower must meet the minimum design requirements listed below. Any company whose final design does not meet these will be disqualified from the competition.

  • The blades must be a minimum 4" in length and cannot extend beyond the plan dimensions provided in the tower requirements.

  • You can have up to 6 blades that interface with the CORI hub.

  • You will use your own wind source to power the blades. Energy production will be measured in DC voltage. The minimum voltage output by the blades must be 0.20 V when normalized by the class baseline value.

  • The grant budget is represented by the weight, so the maximum weight of the TOWER+BLADES is 1.75 lbs.

  • The blades must be securely attached to the tower and able to spin freely. Communication with your partner designing the tower is key. Guidance will be provided on how to design for this connection.

Custom Blade Performance Index

Vc = custom design voltage output (V)

W = custom design weight (grams)

α = tower height bonus factor (unitless)

H = Tower height (cm)

Hmin = minimum tower height (24 in = 61 cm)

Example Images for Inspiration

These are basic designs from other projects, they do not represent the exact size or style required for this project. Do NOT copy these designs, be creative and build your own!

Example cardboard blades

Example paper blades

Example balsa blades

Example cup blades