UAV Shell Structure Prototype

Aerospace / UAV

UAV Shell Structure Prototype

Faster flight-test loops with lower structural weight.

Customer Requirement

A UAV startup needed lightweight shell components for repeated test cycles with quick revision turns.

Challenges

  • Thin-wall geometry was vulnerable to deformation.
  • Frequent design updates required a flexible prototype path.
  • Critical mating features still needed precision tolerance control.

Solution

We paired rapid prototyping with CNC finishing for critical features, then moved approved revisions into a scalable machining workflow.

Process & Results

Process

Rapid prototyping + CNC finishing

Material

AL7075 + engineering resin prototypes

Volume

30 prototype sets, then 600/month

Inspection

CMM + visual wall-thickness inspection

Lead Time

72h prototype, 14 days production

18% weight reduction72-hour prototype cycleRepeatable fit on mating features