Feature

Composites send drones to the skies

In 2020, a group of engineers working in the drone research lab at Politecnico di Milano, Italy (PoliMI) used their expertise in drone design, integration, flight testing, and production to form a new spin-off company. ANT-X was born: a custom drone solutions provider with one foot in the research sphere of PoliMI and the other in the rapidly expanding global drone market.

04/12/2023 15:04:38

The mechanical properties of composite materials, such as stiffness, durability and being lightweight, perfectly suit drone components. After a long search among composite material third-party suppliers. ANT-X enlisted Exel Composites.

Remote-controlled drones are becoming increasingly popular in many sectors, such as transportation of goods and passengers, inspection, and defence, where being lightweight is critical. This allows for favourable capacity-to-weight ratios, which is especially useful when the drone is intended for transportation applications.

Read the full article in DPA's December issue

Written By Sophia Bell

Sophia Bell is the Group Editor of DPA, Connectivity, and PBSI. She joined the team in 2020 as Assistant Editor after achieving a First-Class Honours BA in English Literature and Film Studies from the University of East Anglia. In her current role, she leads the editorial strategy, driving digital growth and ensuring each title continues to deliver trusted, relevant insight for engineering and manufacturing professionals.