LMAPR2016

Within the framework of the course "Project in Polymer Science" (LMPAR2016) at the Université Catholique de Louvain, we were challenged to 3D print our own drone.
Our project is to provide a tool which could be used by researchers, professionals and amateurs for the exploration of warm places not convenient to humans, like calderas, volcanoes or industrial chimneys. Considering the difficulties and dangers that may be experienced when venturing in to those places, a drone seems to be the best option. Small, agile, capable of taking pictures and running some basic measurements when equipped properly, these flying robots are very popular and accessible those days. We propose to design and build our own drone with adequate materials capable to withstand high temperature and physical impacts. Moreover, the drone frame should withstand at least 120°C. It will be made using the fused deposition modelling (FDM). FDM printers, more commonly named 3D printers, have known a rapid evolution in quality and price these recent years and are able to print an infinite number of models with a large variety of polymeric materials. With this in mind, our team will search, analyse and characterize different plastics present in our lab and test their features when printed. In the end, a print of the drone frame will be created with the selected materials and its ability to fly and resist high temperature will be tested.