Xiangtan Hi-tec Area inniciates drone production for Antarctica research

(the drones are used in the Antarctic expedition of China.) 　　

　　 Rednet (Xiangtan/ May 28): In the blue sky and white ice covering South Pole, various coloured of tractors become higher smaller while the view elevating higher ... ... A video from a drone from the South Pole was released in Xiangtan hi-tech zone on May 25, which was shown by Liang Jianhong, an associate professor of Institute of mechanical engineering in Beihang University.

　　 This drone is made by the technology of 3D printing by Hunan Mengjing three-dimensional Technology Ltd., a high-tech small enterprise in Hi-tec area of Xiangtan city, create the product of big project. 　 　

Liang Jianhong followed the 31st expedition and research of Chinese Antarctic expedition team from November 18, 2014 to March 27,2015. In his pack, 6 drones had taken photos of Antarctic ice sheet topography and gathered a quantity of air data and pictures with Liang’s voyage of nearly 30,000 nautical miles. Drones provide accurate first-hand information on the project of building the airport on ice for the Chinese Antarctic expedition team.

　　Liang Jianhong said that the most special equipment was 3D printed drone. 　　

"It took us a month to design the drones. By using 3D printing technology, it was made in only 15 days. "Liang said that the drone is 1/3 in large of traditional models, with 15x15x45 cm volume and foldable arms. Experienced flights in Antarctic area, the drone is availble to the low temperature conditions from -15 ° c to-20 ° c.

　　 "It would costs three months to make a set of carbon fiber mold, and the cost of average made ones is 20 times of 3D printing ones without any changable designs. "said Liang. He praise on the advanced techonolgy of 3D printing. According to his words, it is the first domestic made drone by using 3d printing technique in machine design with field testing aircraft at the South Pole.

Original link: 湘潭高新区“打”造无人机 翱翔南极上空为国内首创（图）