Abstract:
The marine propeller performance is highly influenced by the accuracy of its machining. Accurate and error-free 3D models are thus needed to perform analysis and optimization of the propeller blades. This project introduces a method to generate a parametric 3D model of a marine propeller based on NURBS curves and surfaces. The project is performed in RhinoScript programming language in Rhino CAD modeler with its openNURBS™ kernel. The blade sections, hydrofoils, are generated with just 11 nondimensional parameters. Each section’s chord length, thickness and pitch are defined with degree 2 NURBS curves requiring just 4 parameters each. The model performance is compared with the existing modelling tool.