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General Engineering Science Fair Project

Plywood Hovercraft with a Leaf Blower

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Plywood Hovercraft with a Leaf Blower | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
Can a sheet of plywood glide across the floor on a cushion of air? A hovercraft works by pumping air under a flat surface. The trapped air lifts the craft off the ground and almost eliminates friction. You cut a round disk from plywood and staple a plastic sheet to the bottom. A small disk pinned at the center holds the plastic in place and creates a donut-shaped air pocket. You cut six vent holes in the plastic near the center. Then you attach a leaf blower to a hole drilled in the plywood. Turn on the blower and the plastic inflates. The hovercraft lifts slightly and glides across smooth floors with very little resistance.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that a hovercraft can be built using a leaf blower, plywood, and a plastic sheet.

Science Concepts Learned

Engineering Design Process

Building a hovercraft from plywood and a leaf blower puts every step of the engineering design process to work. You cut a round disk, staple a plastic sheet to the bottom, and drill a hole for the blower — then you test whether the trapped air actually lifts the craft off the ground. When the hovercraft doesn't glide smoothly, you trace the problem: air leaks, poorly cut vent holes, a loose plastic sheet. Fix it, test again. The design works when the air pocket inflates evenly and the craft skims across the floor with almost no resistance.

Method & Materials

You will cut out a plywood disk, drill a hole in the center, make a hole for the leaf blower, lay the plywood disk on the center of a large plastic sheet, fold the edges of the sheet up over the plywood, and cut six vent holes in the plastic.
You will need plywood, a plastic sheet, a leaf blower, a small plastic disk, a bolt, a nut, two fender washers, a drill, a razor knife, a staplegun, duct tape, and a smooth floor.

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Results

This project is a great way to learn about air pressure and friction. The air inflates the plastic which pushes upon the floor and provides a ground-hugging "skirt" that lifts the entire hovercraft. The hovercraft then glides around on a thin layer of air, creating an "Air Film Bearing" with very low friction.

Why do this project?

This science project is so interesting and unique because it allows you to build your own hovercraft and glide around on a cushion of air.

Also Consider

Experiment variations to consider include using a different shape for the plywood disk, such as a square or triangle, and using a different material for the skirt, such as old bike tires or a rubber bumper.

Full project details

Additional information and source material for this project are available below.

Related video

These videos explain the science behind this project and demonstrate key concepts used in the experiment.
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