Materials Forming of Dolphin Model for Hydrodynamic Research Based on the 3D Printing Technology

Traditional manufacturing techniques used for developing the models for hydrodynamic research are slow and costly. Based on the development of current technology, 3D printing technology could be the fastest way to generate the model for with high accuracy for experimental test. With the help of 3D printing technology, it would only take days or hours to generate the 3D model with complicated geometry. This paper presents the application of 3D printing method for dolphin model generation. Rigid and flexible dolphin 3D models are made with non-metallic. 3D printing parts include the outer mold and added stiffness to the model. The dolphin model is 1 m long, and does not have pectoral fin. The dolphin hydrodynamic model developed using 3D printing technology show promise in model development for future hydrodynamic model studies. A rigid model and two flexible models with different material have been built by 3D printing. The appropriate materials were chosen for flexible dolphin model, which have the similar properties with dolphin skin.