Jul 11, 2016 | By Benedict
The United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation (UIMC), a Russian state corporation, has built an entirely 3D printed drone which will be used for monitoring and reconnaisance. The UAV, which can be printed and assembled in one day, was unveiled today at the Innoprom trade fair in Ekaterinburg.
Russia, land of Matryoshkas, neoclassical architecture, and vodka, is not generally regarded as a hotbed of additive manufacturing, but has made strides in recent years—particularly within its state organizations—to catch up with its international peers in the 3D printing race. The Russian military, for example, recently claimed to have used additive manufactured in the development of a partially 3D printed Armata tank, while the country’s Center for the Study of Natural Substances has suggested that Roscosmos could build a 3D printed base on the moon. Today, Russia has showcased its progress in developing 3D printed drones, with its United Instrument Manufacturing Corporation unveiling a 3D printed drone designed for scouting operations.
According to a statement released by UIMC, the new 3D printed drone can be manufactured in a single day, while spare parts for it can be fabricated in just 15-20 minutes. Equipped with an onboard video camera, its primary functions will be reconnaissance and monitoring missions, flying within a radius of 50 kilometers. The drone is equipped with a domestically produced engine, weighs 4 kilograms, and has a wingspan of 2.4 meters. Its manufacturer, UIMC, is part of Rostec, Russia’s state technologies corporation, which was established by the government to stimulate the production of high-end products for technology and communications systems. Rostec, the parent company of UIMC, unveiled a similar 3D printed drone last year.
According to UIMC, the state corporation behind the 3D printed drone, the new UAV offers several advantages over comparable vehicles. Since they are cheap and easy to produce, the 3D printed drones can be deployed in groups, with relatively little at stake if a vehicle is damaged or destroyed. Other advantages include the ability to create new, on-the-go parts for the drone at multiple locations. “The use of additive technologies can significantly speed up and reduce the cost of creating and producing a new product,” said Sergey Skokov, Deputy General Director of UIMC. “The advantage of this aircraft lies in the fact that any of its parts can be efficiently 3D printed—even in the field.”
The 3D printed UAV is being showcased at Innoprom, an international industrial trade fair being held in Ekaterinburg, July 11-14. The event, which has taken place annually since 2010, expects to receive over 52,000 visitors this year.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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Anyone know where I can download the .stl files for it? : )
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