A low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) created using 3D-printed bioplastic

Abstract

In this work, a four-person student team was given the challenge of designing, analysing, constructing, and testing a low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) prototype, which could meet or exceed a set of predefined performance requirements including range, altitude, time of flight, and load-carrying capability. In addition, the team was tasked with having their final design be composed of at least 70% sustainable material by volume. The final prototype took the form of a quadcopter with an airframe 3D printed from a plant-based bioplastic. This prototype was able to meet or exceed three of the four project performance targets, with time of flight being the lone failure. Besides serving as a proof-of-concept prototype of a functioning bioplastic-based UAV, this project is also a demonstration of 3D printing as an enabling technology that can allow even small design teams to realize complex geometries, enjoy enhanced design flexibility, and achieve high levels of UAV functionality with relatively limited resources. Finally, a discussion of important material parameters of 3D printed UAVs is presented.