{"id":39539,"date":"2019-03-22T16:00:48","date_gmt":"2019-03-22T20:00:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/?p=39539"},"modified":"2019-07-01T12:25:59","modified_gmt":"2019-07-01T16:25:59","slug":"3d-printed-drones-making-drones-affordable","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/3d-printed-drones-making-drones-affordable","title":{"rendered":"3D Printed Drones are Making Drones More Affordable"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Kespry<\/a>

Kespry<\/a> provides drone-based aerial intelligence for industrial use; drone parts 3D printed with Shapeways.<\/p><\/div>\n

Sometimes referred to as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones have been in use by the United States military since the turn of the century. Nowadays, manufacturers around the world are mass-producing drones for intelligence, security, parcel delivery, and even leisure.<\/p>\n

But commercial-grade drones are prohibitively expensive. Many are still in the prototype phase. Those that are available are proprietary and are dependent upon long and costly supply chains. Thankfully, 3D printed drones are quickly becoming a reality \u2014 and they\u2019re a significant opportunity for drone-based businesses to cut costs without cutting corners.<\/p>\n

Cutting the Costs of Drones<\/h3>\n

Many consumers can readily afford miniature drones \u2014 some even sell for under $50. But drones capable of commercial applications have been out of reach for most businesses.<\/p>\n

With the integrated technologies they need to function and the power to carry payloads like cameras and packages, commercial-grade drones can cost in the tens of thousands of dollars.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, 3D printed drones are a solution to the cost problem. Instead of paying a premium for a finished product, businesses can print parts using a printing service<\/a> and assemble drones to save substantially on costs.<\/p>\n

3D Printing Goes Mainstream<\/h3>\n

3D printer sales have skyrocketed, and they\u2019re only growing. By 2030, experts expect at least 100 million 3D printers<\/a> to have been sold. Soon, 3D printers will be available in libraries and other public spaces, and people who can afford them may even have 3D printers in their homes. With the advent of mainstream 3D printing, devices like drones will be more accessible than ever.<\/p>\n

3D printed drones can be constructed in parts by hobbyists. But 3D printing promises to deliver even better results for businesses. According to one study, 70% of the companies surveyed<\/a> had increased their investments in 3D printing in 2018. That, compared to just 49% in 2017.<\/p>\n

Businesses interested in expanding their drone capacities through 3D printing technology must measure the costs and benefits before investing. This technology is advancing rapidly every year.<\/p>\n

Regardless, healthcare providers, delivery companies, energy producers, retailers, real estate firms, and even agribusinesses can all benefit from drone technology. Those that invest in 3D printed drone technology early will reap the benefits and gain an edge over their competitors.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, most businesses won\u2019t need to install 3D printing technology on-premises. Instead, they can rely on a 3D printing service to deliver all the products they need.<\/p>\n

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The Benefits of 3D Printed Drones<\/h3>\n

With so much attention being paid to drone technology, one would expect more business to be incorporating drones into their operations. But drone technology has been inaccessible for most businesses, especially small and medium-sized companies that already have heavy investments in their legacy operations.<\/p>\n

The most significant barrier is the cost. Despite miniature drones becoming affordable for consumers, most businesses still need more advanced drone technology to harness any benefits. Advanced drones come with a hefty price tag.<\/p>\n

3D printed drones stand to change all that.<\/p>\n

Here are a few of the many benefits businesses can enjoy because of the combination of 3D printing and mainstream drone technology:<\/p>\n

Cost Savings<\/h4>\n

First and foremost, 3D printing will help businesses save dramatically on costs, regardless of how they apply it. In one use case, a developer of automated water sensor systems reached a total savings of 86% in time and 95% in cost<\/a> by leveraging 3D printing technology.<\/p>\n

Construction companies, car manufacturers, and engineering firms are all realizing cost savings, as well. For companies that need a drone fleet to streamline their operations, there\u2019s no better technology to employ to help the bottom line.<\/p>\n

Customization, Modification, and Upgrading<\/h4>\n

When you order drones directly from a manufacturer, you get what you pay for. They may have a variety of models and some elements of customization, but you are still beholden to their offerings and their processes.<\/p>\n

If you need to fix, upgrade, or modify your drone, you must reach out to the manufacturer and pay for it.<\/p>\n

With 3D printing, you can customize, modify, and upgrade your 3D printed drones as much as you like. You can obtain 3D printing blueprints through numerous sources. Some are proprietary, but there are open-source files available as well.<\/p>\n

Fast and Easy Repairs<\/h4>\n

If you\u2019ve ever taken your care to the shop and been told they need to order a part to fix it, you can understand why businesses struggle when their commercial technology requires the same service.<\/p>\n

When you 3D print drones, you typically do it in phases, printing each part and assembling the device afterward they are completed. Because of this process, you never have to order parts to fix your drones. Simply print a new part and fix the machine as necessary, saving your businesses time and money.<\/p>\n

A Multitude of Materials<\/h4>\n

There is a wide range of materials available to use with 3D printers. Some of them are appropriate for drone technology, while others are best used for other applications.<\/p>\n

For industrial 3D printing, some of the best materials are:<\/p>\n