Assembly designMember portfolio

Modular fixed-wing UAV

A modular airframe developed through CAD, printed parts and physical prototypes.

Project: Personal project

Completed fixed-wing prototype with detachable wings on a workshop table. — Completed airframe with detachable wings.

The brief

Develop a modular fixed-wing airframe, integrating printed body components with carbon-fibre spars and avionics.

The approach

Printed sections are reinforced with carbon-fibre rods and a wing tube. Prototype findings inform a successor CAD design with simplified wings and revised electronics packaging.

Work shown

Airframe CAD
Printed body components
Prototype assembly

Design decisions

Detachable wings and electronics covers.: Allow access to internal equipment and simplify assembly and maintenance.
Revise the wing and fuselage layout.: Earlier prototypes exposed excess mass and a weak servo recess; the successor design revisits those areas while retaining the V-tail.

Successor fixed-wing airframe CAD with fuselage, wing and internal packaging visible. — Successor airframe CAD: revised geometry and internal packaging.

Rear view of the printed fixed-wing airframe, V-tail and propulsion arrangement. — Earlier printed airframe, V-tail and rear propulsion arrangement.

Diagram of fixed-wing CAD concepts and design branches across airframe development. — CAD concepts and design branches across the airframe development.

Next projectRobotic hand