Case Study: Martin Aircraft Company achieves accelerated development of the world’s first practical jetpack with SolidWorks

Innovating the world’s first practical jetpack with SolidWorks solutions

Martin Aircraft Company, a New Zealand firm founded to realize Glenn Martin’s long-held dream of a practical personal flying device, faced the challenge of accelerating development of the Martin Jetpack so it would be safe, controllable and marketable. To move from slow 2D workflows to a streamlined 3D R&D process, the company adopted SolidWorks solutions, including SolidWorks Professional and SolidWorks Premium plus SolidWorks Simulation and SolidWorks Flow Simulation (with PhotoView 360 and eDrawings for visualization).

Using SolidWorks tools to optimize surfacing, flow and mold design, Martin Aircraft cut composite mold development from three weeks to a day, eliminated the need for prototype molds, and produced parts within 24 hours—dramatically shortening prototyping cycles and accelerating overall development. SolidWorks’ simulation and rendering capabilities helped refine complex fan blades and housings, save time and money, and contributed to the Martin Jetpack being named one of Time magazine’s 50 Best Inventions of 2010.

Martin Aircraft Company

Glenn Martin

Founding Director and Inventor