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3D-Printed UAV Can Go From Atoms to Airborne in 24 Hours

Posted by timothy on from the concept-and-model-in-one dept.

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."

6 of 77 comments (clear)

  1. Enough by Anonymous Coward · · 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.

  2. 24 hours compared to what? by viperidaenz · · Score: 4, 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.

    1. Re:24 hours compared to what? by viperidaenz · · Score: 3

      .... and a mold would cost $10k - $100k.
      and the 3D printer these guys used costs $400,000. It aint your average makerbot.

    2. Re:24 hours compared to what? by InsultsByThePound · · Score: 5, Funny

      Oh, look at Mr. Subtractive here! I guess we Additives are just way too Positive for you, negative nancy! I'm so sorry we try to build up the world while you like to hack it down to size.

  3. Knock it off with the word inflation! by jtownatpunk.net · · Score: 4, Insightful

    A remote controlled airplane is not a UAV. A remote controlled multi-rotor is not a drone.

  4. Re:so what.... by Bartles · · Score: 3, Informative

    Or you can just use copper or silver wire, without having to wait for a machine that can print it. 3d printers are cool, but let's not put them on a pedestal.