Efficiency optimisation of mass produced micro drone propellers.
| Reference number | |
| Coordinator | Bitcraze AB |
| Funding from Vinnova | SEK 317 289 |
| Project duration | July 2022 - February 2024 |
| Status | Completed |
| Venture | Innovair/SMF |
| Call | Aeronautical research in small and medium-sized companies |
Important results from the project
** Denna text är maskinöversatt ** This project aims to design a ~ 55mm diameter drone propeller with improved efficiency, production quality and reduced noise, resulting in longer battery life and quieter drones. This has delivered an approximate 20% reduction on the amount of torque required to produce 10g of thrust at 19k RPM
Expected long term effects
** Denna text är maskinöversatt ** The goals for the projects can be divided into two broad categories, propeller performance and manufacturing quality. The newly designed propeller offers 20% torque reductions over the 17k to 19k RPM range. The delivered propellers are now better balanced. This reduces vibration, which in turn reduces signal noise on the on-board control systems and renders the drone a more accurate tool for Bitcraze´s in-house software developers and their clients.
Approach and implementation
This project unfolded in 4 stages. The first stage, allowed all parties to collect information and share processes, to determine if anything in the respective workflows was going to incompatible. The second stage saw RMIT work with the collected information to devise a testing and simulation program to optimise the existing propeller and maintain manufacturability. In the third stage Gemfan took the optimised propeller and prepared it for mass manufacture. In the fourth stage, the tool is cut and the first run of injection moulded, optimised propellers come out of the tool.