3D-Printed UAV Can Go From Atoms to Airborne in 24 Hours 77
Zothecula (1870348) writes "Because 3D printing allows one-off items to be created quickly and cheaply, it should come as no surprise that the technology has already been used to produce unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs. Engineers at the University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Center (AMRC), however, have taken things a step farther. They've made a 3D-printed UAV airframe that's designed to minimize the amount of material needed in its construction, and that can be printed and in the air within a single day."
so what.... (Score:2, Insightful)
airframes are trivial. When they can print a motor and power supply, then maybe they'll have something
Enough (Score:5, Insightful)
Enough with these "3d printer miracle stories". They arent printing a UAV. They are printing some wings and a fuselage. You still need an engine, control electronics, etc.
24 hours compared to what? (Score:5, Insightful)
Injection moulded UAV airframe produced in.... minutes?
The images look pretty poor quality, you can tell by the reflections that the wing shape is bumpy. I guess that's what happens when you 3D print without support material, bits sag while they cool down.
Knock it off with the word inflation! (Score:5, Insightful)
A remote controlled airplane is not a UAV. A remote controlled multi-rotor is not a drone.