Steadicopter is an Israeli company working in rotary unmanned aerial systems (RUAS).

At the DSEI exhibition in London next week, Steadicopter will show the next generation of the Black Eagle 50, an advanced, lightweight unmanned robotic helicopter.

Its new capabilities include an inertial navigation system that does not depend on GPS, along with support for maritime missions.

We were glad to take part in their preparations for the exhibitions and to print a display part for them, this time in MJF with nylon 12 powder, including paint and light sanding.

The technology and the material

The project was produced in MJF – Multi Jet Fusion, nylon powder printing. The part is built layer by layer inside a powder bed, with no supports, and the whole build volume is available for parts. That is what makes the technology suit small runs exactly: the chamber can be filled with dozens of different parts in one build, with no dedicated tooling to pay for.

The material is nylon 12 (PA12) – an engineering material with good mechanical durability, dimensional stability and an even matte finish. See more on choosing a material.

A display part – what is different

A part travelling to an international exhibition is judged by eye, close up, by professionals. So the investment here is in the finish: sanding to remove the powder texture, and paint in the exact shade of the real product. A print that looks like a print works against the message of the company exhibiting it.

Why we chose 3D printing

Small quantity – tens of units, not thousands. An injection mould does not pay for itself at that volume.
Timescale – days to weeks, rather than months for tooling.
Room to change – the file can be corrected and a new version printed without starting development again.
Geometric complexity – shapes that cannot be milled or cast come straight off the printer.

Unmanned systems demand light, accurate parts. See 3D printing for the defence industry.

A similar project of your own?

Send us a file or a description of the problem and you will get a recommendation on technology, material and timescale – talk to an engineer. See also product design and development and 3D printing production.