The School of Aeronautics, Astronautics and Mechanics at China’s Tongji University has teamed up with the Shanghai Aircraft Design and Research Institute of COMAC to apply 3D printing technology for carbon fiber reinforced resin matrix composites to produce an indigenous drone, “Tongfei n°1”.
The “Tongfei n°1” is a remarkable example of the application of 3D printing technology in the field of aviation. The drone is designed as a duck-winged aircraft with swept-back wings and has a wingspan of 2.1 meters with a take-off weight of just 1,400 grams. This lightweight design demonstrates the potential of continuous fiber composite 3D printing technology to produce drone components and highlights Tongji University’s progress in the rapid production of lightweight composite drones.
The scientific research team, led by Professor Li Yan of Tongji University’s Department of Aerospace Engineering, is supported by the national key R&D project “Additive manufacturing technology and equipment for large-scale fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites”. The “Tongfei n°1” serves as a practical demonstration of the interim results of this project in the aviation sector.
During the test flight, the drone showed impressive performance in terms of maneuverability, durability, reaction speed, flight safety and flight stability. These positive results highlight the advantages and potential of carbon fiber reinforced 3D printing technology in drone production.
The successful demonstration of the “Tongfei n°1” marks a significant step in the application of 3D printing technologies for aviation and shows how these technologies can be used to develop and manufacture complex, lightweight and highly stable drones quickly and efficiently. This could have a significant impact on the development of drones and other aircraft in the future.
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