The purpose of this paper is to investigate the possibility of manufacturing fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printed structures such as wings or fuselages for small remote control (RC) air craft and mini unmaned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

    Design/methodology/approach

    Material tests, design assumptions and calculations were verified by designing and manufacturing a small radio-controlled motor-glider using as many printed parts as possible and performing test flights.

    Findings

    It is possible to create an aircraft with good flight characteristics using FDM 3D printed parts. Current level of technology allows for reasonably fast manufacturing of 3D printed aircraft with good reliability and high success ratio of prints; however, only some of the materials are suitable for printing thin wall structures such as wings.

    Practical implications

    The paper proves that apart from currently popular small RC aircraft structural materials such as composites, wood and foam, there is also printed plastic. Moreover, 3D printing is highly competitive in some aspects such as first unit production time or production cost.

    Originality/value

    The presented manufacturing technique can be useful for quick and cost-effective creating scale prototypes of the aircraft for performing test flights.


    Access

    Check access

    Check availability in my library

    Order at Subito €


    Export, share and cite



    Title :

    FDM 3D printing method utility assessment in small RC aircraft design


    Contributors:

    Published in:

    Publication date :

    2019-03-12


    Size :

    8 pages




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




    Propeller design for high performance utility aircraft

    Biermann, D. | Engineering Index Backfile | 1955


    PROPELLER DESIGN FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE UTILITY AIRCRAFT

    BIERMANN, DAVID | SAE Technical Papers | 1954



    AIRCRAFT INKJET PRINTING

    European Patent Office | 2021

    Free access

    AIRCRAFT INKJET PRINTING

    YAGHOOBI AHMAD R / MELLIN MATTHEW H / GREENE EDWARD R et al. | European Patent Office | 2021

    Free access