Blueflite®, a provider of a drone-based logistics platform, is involved in a collaborative project that aims to meet the demand for reliable storage of hydrogen fuels for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Supported by the Northern Territory Government, the project aims to develop a lightweight, high-pressure, hydrogen vessel (tank) using Advanced Fiber Placement (AFP) technology Charles Darwin University. This solution will be complemented by the university’ AM capabilities that could enhance the manufacturing of composite vessel manufacture.
So far, we observed that components of unmanned systems can be manufactured using material extrusion, or metal 3D printing. Needless to say, the choice of the AM process depends on the final purpose of the part.
Long-range UAVs play a crucial role in numerous sectors, including medical, agricultural, services and mining industries – particularly in geographically isolated or vast regions such as the NT. In the medical field, they facilitate quick and efficient transport of medical supplies, vaccines, and even emergency medical services to remote areas, improving healthcare accessibility. In agriculture, UAVs can transform crop monitoring, precision agriculture, and pest control, leading to increased efficiency and sustainable farming practices.
This project will provide another example of how AM can be used for drones manufacturing, especially in the agriculture sector. While this application is still in its infancy, we believe with the growing trend in drone use, we will be able to provide more details about the potential and limitations of AM at the manufacturing level.
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