印度的研究人员Kongu Engineering Collegehave 3D printed a miniature bluetooth-controlled UAV that could be capable of evading capture within covert military operations.
Measuring less than 100 x 100 mm, the engineers’ tiny X-shaped quadcopter can be built using low-cost components, enabling it to be reproduced cheaply on an industrial scale. According to the team, their PLA-based drone holds the potential to “fly between enemy lines” and conduct intelligence-gathering recon missions, eliminating the need for satellite monitoring and international espionage.
无人机设计创新
由于“无人机”一词于1946年首次使用，因此自动无人机的大小和功能发生了巨大变化，现在它们经常被部署在交通控制，救援和天气监控应用程序中。使用低成本传感器和日常蓝牙设备，构建能够进行遥控或预编程的飞行路径的无人机也比以往任何时候都容易。
在原始功率方面，许多这样的四肢具有足够的计算咕unt来在数据获取过程中执行计算，并满足日常平民任务的需求。但是，当涉及到更苛刻的航空航天和军事应用时，在紧凑型套管中纳入进行详细侦察所需的处理能力和错误检测软件仍然很难。
相比之下，3D打印的不断增长的可访问性继续解锁该技术的新应用程序，印度工程师现在发现可以使用常规的应用程序UltimakerFDM 3D printer, as a means of creating a remote-controlled drone that’s capable of surveillance, flight stabilization and landing on any terrain.
建造回避的四轮驱动器
Based around a single-piece 3D printed body, the team’s UAV features attachable wings for improved stability, as well as 65 mm x 65 mm flight controllers, that are easily small enough to fit into its tiny frame. The copter’s other major motor, circuitry and battery components are all similarly compact, but consist mainly of parts that can be easily acquired online, ensuring its future accessibility.
一旦团队构建了原型，他们发现其便宜的直流电动机能够在设备的螺旋桨朝相反的方向转动时提供升降机。经过一些测试驾驶后，无人机证明能够通过蓝牙连接的智能手机向六个方向移动，工程师观察到，这比使用发射器和接收器是“更容易的任务”。
该团队后来选择使用在测试期间崩溃他们珍贵的资产，而是选择使用扎实的作品，发现其脆弱的框架只能在高达10 MPa的压力下生存。此外，在较长的运行中，无人机几乎无法连续飞行十分钟，从而在长途军事监视应用中明确限制了其潜在效力。
Despite this, the engineers maintained that their device was able to perform image capturing in both GPS-enabled and non-satellite modes, lending it precise navigational and map-building capabilities. What’s more, the team also identified that they could either retrieve data via a conventional SD card or advanced AI devices, giving the drone potential VR functionality.
结果，研究人员得出的结论是，他们的迷你UAV具有将来将“间谍和监视卫星”放到业务中所需的形状，规模和负担能力，但除非州侦察的规模逐渐消退，否则它可能需要更长的电池以至于监视亲密邻居变得具有国家重要性。
3D printing UAVs at scale
Although the idea of 3D printing UAVs is far from novel, many existing drones have deliberately been built on a grander scale, with durability and demanding military applications in mind. Australian metal 3D printer manufacturerTitomic例如，已经使用其钛化动力学融合（TKF）技术来创建声称是‘世界上最大的无人机。’
With a total diameter of 1.8 meters, the lightweight-yet-durable drone is constructed of fused dissimilar metals, potentially enabling it to provide military-grade performance. Similarly, South African start-upAeroswifthas previously3D印刷了钛无人机高度超过1.5米，尽管仅作为其技术能力的演示。
On a smaller scale, students at the沃里克大学已经开发了一个3D印刷山救援无人机，旨在帮助在任务期间为有需要的人提供重要的供应。该无人机是作为英国政府地平线（AM）计划的一部分建造的，被证明能够携带多达5公斤的80多公里。
The researchers’ findings are detailed in their paper titled “使用3D打印技术开发的迷你无人机的结构分析.” The research was co-authored by N. Muralidharan, V.G. Pratheep, A. Shanmugam, A. Hariram, P. Dinesh and B. Visnub.
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特色图片显示了印度团队3D打印无人机框架的3D模型。图片通过今天的材料图片：会议记录。
