Citation: MohamedZain, A.O.; Chua,
H.; Yap, K.; Uthayasurian, P.; Jiehan,
T. Novel Drone Design Using an
Optimization Software with 3D
Model, Simulation, and Fabrication
in Drone Systems Research. Drones
2022, 6, 97. https://doi.org/10.3390/
drones6040097
Academic Editors: Andrzej
Łukaszewicz, Wojciech Giernacki,
Zbigniew Kulesza, Jaroslaw Pytka
and Andriy Holovatyy
Received: 12 February 2022
Accepted: 11 March 2022
Published: 14 April 2022
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Article
Novel Drone Design Using an Optimization Software with 3D
Model, Simulation, and Fabrication in Drone Systems Research
Ahmed. O. MohamedZain
1,
*, Huangshen Chua
2
, Kianmeng Yap
1,
*, Pavithren Uthayasurian
3
and Teoh Jiehan
3
1
Research Centre for Human-Machine Collaboration, Department of Computing and Information Sys-tems,
School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, Bandar Sunway, Petaling Jaya 47500, Malaysia
2
Department of Mechatronics Engineering, School of Engineering, UOW Malaysia KDU Penang Univer-sity
College, Jalan Anson, George Town 10400, Malaysia; hs.chua@kdu.edu.my
3
School of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, University of Wollongong Ma-laysia KDU, Glenmarie
Campus, Shah Alam 40150, Malaysia; 0128252@kdu-online.com (P.U.); 0122320@kdu-online.com (T.J.)
* Correspondence: 19102003@imail.sunway.edu.my (A.O.M.); kmyap@sunway.edu.my (K.Y.)
Abstract:
This paper presents the design of a small size Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) using the
3DEXPERIENCE software. The process of designing the frame parts involves many methods to
ensure the parts can meet the requirements while conforming to safety and industry standards. The
design steps start with the selection of materials that can be used for the drone, which are polylactic
acid (PLA), acrylonitrile styrene acrylate (ASA), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The drone
frame consists of four main parts, which are the center top cover (50 g), the side top cover (10 g),
the middle cover (30 g), and the drone’s arm (80 g). A simulation was carried out to determine the
stress, displacement, and weight of the drone’s parts. Additionally, a trade-off study was conducted
to finalize the shapes of the parts and the various inputs based on their priorities. The outcome of this
new design can be represented in design concepts, which involve the use of the snap hook function
to assemble two body parts together, namely the middle cover and the center top cover, without the
need of an additional fastener.
Keywords:
UAV; polylactic acid; acrylonitrile styrene acrylate; acrylonitrile butadiene styrene;
trade-off study
1. Introduction
A drone is an aircraft without a human pilot inside and it is also known as an Un-
manned Aerial Vehicle. It has many functions and applications such as for medical trans-
port [
1
], health care service [
2
], high-rise firefighting [
3
], drone monitoring application
for marine megafauna [
4
], and many other usages in our current modern society. This
research presents a new design concept and creative 3D design idea of a drone that was
designed with the 3DEXPERIENCE software. The main reason for using 3DExperience
software for this project is that it is a software that emphasizes having a collaborative
environment. Since this project has included a few people, and each with a different role, it
has been convenient to use the software for project sharing and discussion all within the
platform, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic situation. The platform itself
has a variety of applications within it, which include software for 3D modelling (CATIA
and SOLIDWORKS), simulation (SIMULIA), social and collaborative (ENOVIA) as well as
information intelligence (NETVIBES) [
5
]. Therefore, each user can have roles such as project
manager, simulation engineer, and 3D designer and use the applications according to their
roles. With that, the tasks can be distributed easily based on different roles, the project
models and files can be seen and shared by everyone in the group, and the project timeline
can be managed within the platform, which allows easy tracking of the project. All these
can be done within the same software, which makes the software a good choice for a group
project that requires much collaboration. Three dimensional designing through simulation
Drones 2022, 6, 97. https://doi.org/10.3390/drones6040097 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/drones
