Design and Production Proposal of a Uav for the Mining Industry

Abstract

This report provides an in-depth study on the current growth in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) industry, specifically fixed-wing UAVs, culminating in an estimate of potential revenue taking into account existing competition and the target market sector. A detailed design of a UAV that could meet predefined mission requirements is presented, based on innovative production concepts primarily centered around carbon fiber manufacturing using Prepreg. Along with the design, a proposed method of manufacture for each of the UAV parts and corresponding operational conditions is proposed, supported by contemporary industrial tools such as a product structure, a Value Stream Map (VSM), and a Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA). The proposal and UAV design were validated through computational analyses that include aerodynamic, structural, and stability analyses. The application of technical skills in various fields, including aerospace production methods, fluid mechanics, flight mechanics, mechanical design, and aircraft design, is evidenced throughout this report. The report concludes with the suggestion of possible improvements for a second phase of the project, as well as proposals for future work which could include improving the precision of the current proposal and other ways of optimizing the UAV's design and production.