Flight-Forge: 3D Printing Drone Airframe Cover Competition

Objective

This competition invites design submissions for drone airframe cover that not only showcase the capabilities of Design for Additive Manufacturing (AM) and sustainability, but also aim to improve airframe cover design in terms of protection and tracking drone orientation. The competition seeks to foster innovation in 3D printing technologies, focusing on practical considerations that enhance drone functionality and resilience.

With the integration of AM software, participants can push the boundaries of design innovation, leveraging advanced tools and simulations to address real-world challenges for drones, such as component protection and visibility improvement. 

We aim to discover a design that embodies uniqueness and innovation that:

• Leverages 3D printing capabilities
• Embraces sustainability principles
• Easy to print
• Ease of assembly
• Functional
• Aesthetically appealing

Design Requirements

Participants are to download a .stp file here as a reference for designing the airframe cover of the drone. Using the provided .stp file as a reference, participants are required to design their drone airframe cover within the defined space constraints. The design must be compatible with and originate from the provided .stp file to ensure uniformity in testing conditions.

Participants are required to create a drone airframe cover that leverages the capabilities of AM, taking into account the provided specifications and the overall sustainability of the design. Additionally, designers must create their own fasteners, allowing for quick and easy removal of the drone’s cover.

The final design must be 3D printable and within the following specifications:

• Platform: Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM)
• Printing envelop: 250mm x 250mm x 250mm
• Weight of final assembled 3D printed design: no more than 100g
• Material: Polylactic Acid (PLA)

Participation Eligibility

This competition is open to all residents of Singapore. Participants can enter as individuals or in a team of up to 5 people.

Employees and relatives of NAMIC hub@TP, NAMIC hub@NUS, Aviation Research Centre@TP and judges are not eligible to enter the competition.

There are 3 categories for participation: Open, Tertiary Student and Secondary Student. Entrants are only allowed to choose one category to participate in.

Open Category: Individuals who do not fall under the Tertiary Student and Secondary Student categories. 
Tertiary Students: Individuals who are currently enrolled in a tertiary institution such as a university, polytechnic, or any post-secondary educational institution in Singapore.
Secondary Students: Individuals who are currently enrolled in a secondary education institution in Singapore.

Submission Requirements

Entries must be original, solely created by the entrant, and must not have won previous awards or infringe on any third-party rights.

Participants must fill up the submission form and upload all the following files here by 13 September 2024.
Only one submission per participant / team is allowed. No revision is allowed.

1. Original editable design file (max 500MB)
2. STL file of the design (max 500MB)
3. Maximum 2 pages of A4 write up of the ideation and concept of the design, post-processing and assembly methods (if applicable) in .docx or .pdf format

*Entrants are not required to 3D print the component for submission.

Workshop

   

Registration to the workshops have now been closed, please click the links below to access the recordings.

Flight-Forge: 3D Printing Drone Airframe Cover Competition Briefing > watch here
For other presentations, please watch it on NAMIC.TV.

Judging Criteria

All submissions will be evaluated on the design’s additive manufacturing feasibility, innovation, sustainability, and adherence to the competition’s guidelines.

The final printed airframe cover should require minimal manual assembly and post-processing. Should manual assembly become necessary, participants must provide justifications for the techniques employed.

As part of the judging process, the printed drone airframe cover will be subjected to withstand a 5-minute endurance test flight, which includes accelerated phases to verify the stability of the airframe. This test will also assess the drone’s capability to execute lateral manoeuvres effectively.

Please note that the judgment rendered by the panel of judges will be conclusive.

Winner Announcement and Prizes

Winners will be announced during the award ceremony that will be held on 14 October 2024. Details of the ceremony will be communicated to the winners.

The following prizes are awarded in each category per winning team:

Terms & Conditions

1. Intellectual Property
   Entrants maintain ownership of their submissions, but by entering, grant the Organiser(s) a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, and reproduce the entries in relation to the competition and its promotion.
2. Data Protection and Privacy
   Personal data provided will be processed in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act for the purpose of administering this competition. Consent is given for the publication of entrant names and submissions in relation to the competition. Data will be kept confidential and not shared with third parties outside the scope of the competition, except as required for the administration of the competition and associated events.
3. Photography & Filming
   The Event is held in a public space, therefore the Organiser(s) does not prohibit participants from photographing or video or audiotaping some Event activities. The Organiser(s) reserves the right to use images taken at the Event with your photograph and/or likeness in future marketing material.
4. Limitation of Liability
   The Organiser(s) are not liable for any incorrect information supplied to the entrants by third parties or sponsors connected with this competition.
5. Amendments and Governing Law
   The Organiser(s) reserve the right to amend these terms without prior notice. Changes will be posted within the terms and conditions. This agreement is subject to the laws of Singapore.

Participation signifies acceptance of these terms and conditions.

For any enquiries related to the competition, please email [email protected].

Organisers

           

Sponsors & Partners

Prize sponsor: Estate of the late Dr Yvonne Marjorie Salmon

Supporting Organisations

 

            

Commercial Partners