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Additive Manufacturing of Conductive Pathways for Drone Electrical Equipment
Gintarė Malikėnaitė1, Arvydas Rimkus2, Darius Rudinskas1
1Department of Aeronautical Engineering, Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH), Linkmenų Str. 28-4, 08217 Vilnius, Lithuania.
Polymers
|June 13, 2025
Summary
This study explores 3D printing conductive pathways for drones, automating manufacturing by integrating electrical components directly. This innovation reduces manual assembly and enhances the potential of additive manufacturing for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Area of Science:
- Additive Manufacturing
- Materials Science
- Robotics and Automation
Background:
- Fused filament fabrication is a cost-effective additive manufacturing technique.
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer significant potential for revolutionizing various industries.
- Previous research identified polylactic acid (PLA) as a suitable material for drone fabrication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To advance automated drone manufacturing through additive fabrication of conductive pathways.
- To reduce the need for manual wire installation in electric equipment for drones.
- To assess the feasibility of 3D-printed conductive materials for UAV applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized fused filament fabrication with polymeric materials for drone prototyping.
- Investigated commercially available conductive polymeric materials for electrical resistance analysis.
- Analyzed the conductivity of 3D-printed components to determine material characteristics.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated the feasibility of an automated drone manufacturing process.
- Identified electrical resistance parameters of additively manufactured UAV components that affect electric current efficiency.
- Determined material characteristics necessary for achieving automated manufacturing of conductive pathways.
Conclusions:
- Additive manufacturing holds promise for revolutionizing drone design and fabrication.
- Automating the integration of conductive pathways via 3D printing is achievable.
- Further research into conductive materials is essential for efficient, automated UAV production.
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