BOOMLAB - Sharing the Science of Boomerangs - Boomarology
BOOMLAB
Boomlab is a computer simulation to invesigate how the construction and thow of a boomerang alter its flight path. I started it as my masters thesis, but have continued on it since. It needs the MATLAB engine to work. It needs corrections, but it is a start, I hope others will take it further
Here is a PDF all about it if you want to read more or see the video below.
You can edit boomerang shapes and profiles, and add dihedral to the arms
The flight is plotted in 3D on a boomfield. It is worked out from Hess's equations
You can download the MATLAB code here. >>>
Instructions
Unzip and copy the files to a directory inside MATLAB \bin
In MATLAB change to this directory
Run the first script which is draw_boom2.m
Open a boomerang file and use the ready made 'classic' boomerang
Click Use it
Open a a saved throw called 'classic'
Let me know how you get on :-)
The throw can be edited to account for angles, wind speed, spin rate and throw speed.
There are lots of plots of spin rate, speed, forces, angles, torques etc, etc..
The Boomerang editor is quite complex. You can change the plan shape, the angles of twist and dihedral and the aerodynamic lift and drag values aswell as mass.
MTA flights simulated with the original BOOMLAB.v1 code to find the 'sweet spot' for MTA launch. These found that throws in the sweet spot have a perfectly smooth layover