Drone Production

September 25, 2020

Case Study

Aldora Avionics, a company that has sought to demonstrate its zeal in pursuing excellence, produce highly customisable drones for the defence and aerospace industries. The development of a fully autonomous drone mainly consisted of CNC-cut carbon fibre with only the gimbal part being 3D printed.

After the first initial prototype testing, the strength of the MJF 3D printed parts came as a surprise. With this knowledge, they decided to adjust the design by consolidating the number of parts and 3D printing the entire drone body.

The number of components was reduced by a factor of almost 6 and the time to assemble the drone went from two weeks to two days. The total weight of the drone was also reduced by 20%. This was partially attributed to the 3D-printed lattice structures within the wings. Instead of 3D printing a solid block of plastic or metal, engineers can use overlapping, interlocking patterns that are partially hollow. When these lattices are designed properly, they can greatly improve the mechanical properties of a part, making it lighter and stronger.

A collaborative production relationship
Because of the lower production costs mentioned above, working with an additive manufacturing partner made it easy for Aldora to take advantage of on-demand batch production and reduce inventory and storage costs. It also allowed minor changes and improvements to be made without impacting lead times.

Key Advantages:

  • Reduction in number of components
  • Reduction in assembly time frame
  • Shorter lead times
  • 20% weight reduction
  • Parts contained equal strength in the X, Y and Z dimension

3D Printing

Craig Alexander

Author

Craig Alexander

Craig is a seasoned marketing professional with over 13 years of diverse experience in industries ranging from Asphalt Testing Technology to Environmental Sciences. His extensive background in B2B marketing, coupled with a deep understanding of complex technical fields like Power Tools, Solar & Battery Systems, and Emergency Lighting, uniquely positions him to bridge the gap between advanced manufacturing technologies and market needs. Craig leverages his comprehensive marketing skills to translate intricate manufacturing processes and innovations into clear, compelling narratives, helping businesses of all sizes succeed in both local and international markets.

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