Fab Academy 2026 Final Project

Desktop Wind Tunnel

In the field of engineering, one of the most crucial aspects is aerodynamics. The problem is, we cannot see air. The only way to visualize aerodynamics is with either a multi million dollar industrial scale wind tunnel or a digital aerodynamics simulation. For my project, I wanted to make a way for the average person to be able to view air interacting with objects, not in a digital simulation.

I drew this picture which shows my full wind tunnel and the different components.

I would use mistmakers to generate the visual wind and a neo pixel to make the wind even more visible. A small intake fan would be used just to push the mist forward but the main flow would come from the two rear fans. Honeycombs would be used to cancel out the swirls generated by the fans, and a mesh would be used to create laminar flow.

An Intake manifold using a high to low pressure zone would create nice wind lines like the ones seen in many wind tunnels. The high to low pressure zone would also help keep laminar flow and speed up the wind.

I would have buttons at the bottom to control things like LEDs, fans, mist makers, etc.

If possible, I would like to add a mechanism that opens the test chamber using a stepper motor or servo.

Week 2

This week I was tasked with using a CAD software to design something in my final project.

I choose to model the wind tunnel's manifold because it is a complex part requiring many different features that Fusion offers.

I started off with a 2d sketch. I wanted to revolve a profile around an axis. I sketched a line to revolve around and then created the profile I wanted to revolve.

I finished the sketch and used the revolve feature to create a single 3D manifold.

I used the shell feature to hollow out the inside so air can travel through.

I copy and pasted the manifold 8 times and placed each one on top of eachother. The total height is approximately 6 inches.

I added a base for this mistmaker so that the mist it produces gets fed into the manifold.

This is the complete manifold. Additionally, I added a space for a fan to be connected to help push the mist into the manifold and to make sure that it doesn't become a low pressure zone. I found a diagram of a 50mm fan here. The hole on the side is for the wires from the mist maker to come out of.