Evaluation of the use of polylactic acid in 3d printing for the construction of an unmanned aerial vehicle in the department of cordoba

Abstract

The use of polylactic acid (PLA) in the technology of fused deposition modeling (FDM), better known as 3D printing, to create all kinds of parts, from prototypes and simple pieces to highly technical end products, is a significant contender due to its wide range of properties compared to other petrochemical-based composite materials. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of polylactic acid (PLA) for the construction of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) through 3D printing. Power and force calculations for the UAV were performed, and a structural analysis using SolidWorks software was conducted to calculate maximum and minimum stresses and determine optimal manufacturing parameters. Additionally, an aerodynamic analysis using ANSYS software was carried out to determine the drag coefficient and the forces acting on the UAV. It was found that the force exerted by the motors on the arms is 13,63 N, and the power is 536 N. In the structural analysis, it was determined that the minimum stresses are located in the chassis arms, while the maximum stresses are found where the chassis is attached, with a value of 6,604 MPa and a safety factor of 3,23. In the aerodynamic analysis, a drag force of 1 N and a flight power of 108,44 N were calculated. The UAV achieved a flight height of 48 m and a flight autonomy of 17 minutes, concluding that 3D printing technology is a viable and cost-effective alternative.