Optimizing Velocity Field Measurement with 3D-Printed Particles and MATLAB: A Cost-Effective System for Flow Visualization

This article aims to highlight the importance of including quantitative measurements when conducting flow visualization tests, such as those performed in towing tanks, within fluid mechanics analysis. It investigates the possibility of measuring velocity fields with an economically accessible techni...

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Main Authors: José Juan Aliaga-Maraver, Ángel Antonio Rodríguez-Sevillano, María Jesús Casati-Calzada, Rafael Bardera-Mora, Estela Barroso-Barderas, Juan Carlos García-Matías, Alfonso Láinez-Muñiz, Davide Visentin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Aerospace
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/1/11
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author José Juan Aliaga-Maraver
Ángel Antonio Rodríguez-Sevillano
María Jesús Casati-Calzada
Rafael Bardera-Mora
Estela Barroso-Barderas
Juan Carlos García-Matías
Alfonso Láinez-Muñiz
Davide Visentin
author_facet José Juan Aliaga-Maraver
Ángel Antonio Rodríguez-Sevillano
María Jesús Casati-Calzada
Rafael Bardera-Mora
Estela Barroso-Barderas
Juan Carlos García-Matías
Alfonso Láinez-Muñiz
Davide Visentin
author_sort José Juan Aliaga-Maraver
collection DOAJ
description This article aims to highlight the importance of including quantitative measurements when conducting flow visualization tests, such as those performed in towing tanks, within fluid mechanics analysis. It investigates the possibility of measuring velocity fields with an economically accessible technique compared to other techniques that require large financial investments, such as traditional PIV. The development of a MATLAB R2024b code based on image recognition and the use of 3D-printed tracer particles is proposed. Code workflow and how to make a correct selection of the processing parameters and its activity are explained and demonstrated on artificial images, generated by a computer, as well as real images, obtained in a 2D-test in the tank, achieving an accuracy, in absolute values, of 95%. However, the proposed velocimetry system currently has one important limitation, the impossibility of distinguishing between particles in different planes, which limits the study to two-dimensional tests. Then, the opportunity to include this technique in the study of more complex tests requires further investigation.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2226-4310
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publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Aerospace
spelling doaj-art-f4a35c99909444f78c45c1548f82d0be2025-01-24T13:15:25ZengMDPI AGAerospace2226-43102024-12-011211110.3390/aerospace12010011Optimizing Velocity Field Measurement with 3D-Printed Particles and MATLAB: A Cost-Effective System for Flow VisualizationJosé Juan Aliaga-Maraver0Ángel Antonio Rodríguez-Sevillano1María Jesús Casati-Calzada2Rafael Bardera-Mora3Estela Barroso-Barderas4Juan Carlos García-Matías5Alfonso Láinez-Muñiz6Davide Visentin7Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Aeronáutica y del Espacio (ETSIAE), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28040 Madrid, SpainEscuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Aeronáutica y del Espacio (ETSIAE), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28040 Madrid, SpainEscuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Aeronáutica y del Espacio (ETSIAE), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28040 Madrid, SpainLow-Speed Aerodynamics Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, SpainLow-Speed Aerodynamics Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, SpainLow-Speed Aerodynamics Laboratory, Instituto Nacional de Técnica Aeroespacial (INTA), 28850 Torrejón de Ardoz, SpainEscuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería Aeronáutica y del Espacio (ETSIAE), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM), 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Industrial Engineering (DII), University of Padova (UNIPD), 35122 Padova, ItalyThis article aims to highlight the importance of including quantitative measurements when conducting flow visualization tests, such as those performed in towing tanks, within fluid mechanics analysis. It investigates the possibility of measuring velocity fields with an economically accessible technique compared to other techniques that require large financial investments, such as traditional PIV. The development of a MATLAB R2024b code based on image recognition and the use of 3D-printed tracer particles is proposed. Code workflow and how to make a correct selection of the processing parameters and its activity are explained and demonstrated on artificial images, generated by a computer, as well as real images, obtained in a 2D-test in the tank, achieving an accuracy, in absolute values, of 95%. However, the proposed velocimetry system currently has one important limitation, the impossibility of distinguishing between particles in different planes, which limits the study to two-dimensional tests. Then, the opportunity to include this technique in the study of more complex tests requires further investigation.https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/1/11velocimetryparticle trackingparticle tracking velocimetryparticle image velocimetryopen channel flowflow visualization
spellingShingle José Juan Aliaga-Maraver
Ángel Antonio Rodríguez-Sevillano
María Jesús Casati-Calzada
Rafael Bardera-Mora
Estela Barroso-Barderas
Juan Carlos García-Matías
Alfonso Láinez-Muñiz
Davide Visentin
Optimizing Velocity Field Measurement with 3D-Printed Particles and MATLAB: A Cost-Effective System for Flow Visualization
Aerospace
velocimetry
particle tracking
particle tracking velocimetry
particle image velocimetry
open channel flow
flow visualization
title Optimizing Velocity Field Measurement with 3D-Printed Particles and MATLAB: A Cost-Effective System for Flow Visualization
title_full Optimizing Velocity Field Measurement with 3D-Printed Particles and MATLAB: A Cost-Effective System for Flow Visualization
title_fullStr Optimizing Velocity Field Measurement with 3D-Printed Particles and MATLAB: A Cost-Effective System for Flow Visualization
title_full_unstemmed Optimizing Velocity Field Measurement with 3D-Printed Particles and MATLAB: A Cost-Effective System for Flow Visualization
title_short Optimizing Velocity Field Measurement with 3D-Printed Particles and MATLAB: A Cost-Effective System for Flow Visualization
title_sort optimizing velocity field measurement with 3d printed particles and matlab a cost effective system for flow visualization
topic velocimetry
particle tracking
particle tracking velocimetry
particle image velocimetry
open channel flow
flow visualization
url https://www.mdpi.com/2226-4310/12/1/11
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