Additive Manufacturing of Conductive Pathways for Drone Electrical Equipment

Fused filament fabrication is the most common additive manufacturing technology due to its cost-effectiveness and flexibility in customization compared to alternative production techniques. This technology holds significant promise for revolutionizing the design and fabrication of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), also known as drones. The present study continues a research program dedicated to additive drone manufacturing using a simple desktop printer and polymeric materials. The previous investigation in the series determined polylactic acid (PLA) as a potential material for drone fabrication. This research continuation takes a step forward in automating the manufacture of drones, extending the 3D printing concept to producing conductive pathways suitable for electric equipment. The automation reduces the need for manual wire installation in electric equipment. The drone prototype developed in this study demonstrates the feasibility of such automated manufacturing. The analysis of conductive polymeric materials available on the market defines the electrical resistance parameters of additively manufactured UAV components that limit the efficient electric current. The conductivity analysis of the 3D-printed components also determines the materials' characteristics required to achieve the automated manufacturing goals of the electrically conductive pathways.