Conceptual Folding Drone
The goal was to design a compact, foldable military surveillance drone that is lightweight, functional, and equipped with telescoping arms, a removable battery, and a MicroSD card slot for camera data.
My Role in the Project
As the lead designer, I conceptualized the drone’s structure, modeled the assembly using CAD operations (loft, extrude, fillet, etc.), and ensured the design met basic military specifications for portability and functionality.
Target Users and User Testing
The target users are military personnel and surveillance operators requiring a portable, durable drone for reconnaissance missions in challenging environments.
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User testing revealed issues with arm-locking stability during flight. I reinforced the telescoping arms with stronger hinges and added a locking mechanism, improving reliability. Battery removal was simplified based on user feedback.
Preliminary Work and Challenges
I researched lightweight materials and folding mechanisms, creating hand sketches and CAD models. Structural analysis ensured arm stability, and prototyping tested folding and telescoping functionality. Aerodynamic simulations guided propeller blade design.
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Key challenges included minimizing weight while maintaining structural integrity, ensuring foldable arms were robust, and designing a user-friendly battery and MicroSD card system. The complex assembly also required precise tolerances.
Final Product and Discussion
The final drone features foldable, telescoping arms, a lightweight frame, and easily accessible battery and MicroSD card slots. The propeller blades, designed with loft and curvature analysis, ensure stable flight.
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This project deepened my expertise in complex CAD modeling and lightweight design. Iterative testing and user feedback were critical in achieving a functional, mission-ready drone, highlighting the value of integrating user needs early in the design process.
