Tag - multi-rotor

01Feb

The Pacific Ocean Drone Challenge

What lies between the Pacific coasts of Japan and Silicon Valley? About 4,500 miles of ocean, of course! A distance easily traveled by commercial airlines but certainly beyond the reach of non-military drones. But is that about to change? Yes. If, that is, a winner emerges from the Pacific Drone Challenge.

The challenge

This new competition challenges pilots and scientists around the world to fly a UAV from Japan to Silicon Valley, California. Furthermore, as the flight must be non-stop, there is no chance to refuel. This event is a daunting 4,500 mile challenge for all technology innovators. And, though such a challenge seems beyond current capabilities, it is viewed as a way to extend possibilities and the reach of technology. Much as Charles Lindbergh’s historic flight across the English channel did for aviation. The contest is open to participants around the world and there is no deadline. The winner is the first team to successfully take off from Japan and land safely in Sunnyvale, California.

No prize money

Currently, the Pacific Drone Challenge is more of a “what if” question than a formal competition. The 4,500 distance extends well beyond the reach of current non-military drones. As of yet, the competition is not offering any prize money for winning teams. So far, competing teams include the Japanese tech company, iRobotics, and the American aircraft company, Sabrewing. Both are sponsors of the challenge

Endless possibilities

If a team successfully complete the challenge, the new technology developed for such an adventure may just benefit the entire industry. Certainly, a commercial drone — at a fraction of the size, weight and cost of other aircrafts –  that can fly 4,500 miles non-stop offers significant benefits. Find out more about the Pacific Drone Challenge.  
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27Nov

Multi-Rotor or Single-Rotor: Which choice for your next project?

Although multi-rotor drones get most of the attention in the UAV world today, they’re not the only option for a flight project. But why would someone choose a multi-rotor over a single-rotor...or vice versa? Read on to learn the differences between the two, as well as their strengths and weaknesses. A key difference between the two, not surprisingly, is the number of rotors each offers. A multi-rotor aerial vehicle has several rotors that keep it airborne. In contrast, a single-rotor vehicle has one rotor plus a tail rotor to control its heading.  

Multi-Rotor

A multi-rotor is a good choice for operators who need to get a camera in the air for a short period of time. Multi-rotor drones are best for aerial photography and aerial cinematography. One of the advantages a multi-rotor is its high-degree of control over position and framing for aerial shots. However, a downside is speed and endurance limitations. Multi-rotor's high-level of stabilization comes with a constant need for fast and high-precision throttle changes. As such, Rules of aerodynamics dictate that the larger a rotor blade, the slower it spins, resulting in more efficiency. As such, a quad-copter is more efficient than an octo-copter but less efficient than a single-rotor. Flight time isn’t due to battery, but rather weight. There are options to help increase flight duration and payload capacity. A brushless motor for a heavy-lift electric multi-rotor is the best option for longer flight time and zero-vibration operations. If an operators wants the drone to stay airborne longer with a more substantial camera attached, a brushless motor for heavy-lift electric multi-rotor is your best option for longer flight time and zero-vibration operation.  

Single-Rotor

A single-rotor helicopter or other airborne tech project offers greater efficiency than a multi-rotor. Currently, single-rotor vehicles fill a small niche in the drone world. Single-rotors offer certain advantages. Remember the rules of aerodynamics? A single-rotor helicopter allows for longer blades to enable slower spinning and therefore expend less energy. Some applications require extended hovering, heavy payloads and/or long endurance. In these instances, a single-rotor may be the right option. However, single-rotor helis also have disadvantages. One knock is that they have significantly more vibration than a multi-rotor UAV. The larger blades also pose more danger. If a single-rotor UAV loses its overhead blade, the aircraft doesn't feature the fail safe of additional propellers. Whether flying a multi-rotor or a single-rotor, quality parts and components are vital for safety and performance.  

KDE Direct offerings

From pocket quad-copters for public safety to scanning depths of the ocean floor, KDE Direct constructs durable and efficient brushless motors and propeller blades for various applications. KDE Direct designs large motors, such as the KDE8218XF-120, for heavy lift down to miniature motors. KDE Direct UAS Multi-Rotor Brushless Motor Series is designed for UAS applications. These high-quality engineered motors provide zero-vibration operation for hours of maintenance-free usage and market-leading performance. The motors are tuned and optimized for the KDE Direct UAS Multi-Rotor Electronic Speed Controller Series.   KDE Direct is a worldwide leader in single-rotor brushless motors. The Generation 3 series uses top-tier materials and manufacturing processes to take the limits of efficiency, flight performance, and maintenance-free durability to new heights. The "G3" series provides state-of-the-art technology and performance-enhancements for the single-rotor marketplace and UAS applications.  
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08Sep

Fixed Wing or Multi-Rotor?

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Should I buy a fixed-wing or a multi-rotor for my application?

At Unmanned Systems Source, we receive calls on a daily basis from customers who ask this very question. We always follow up with a question of our own, “I’m not sure, it depends. What’s your application?”. And so begins a conversation. Choosing between a multi-rotor or a fixed-wing is not always a straight forward choice. In fact, there are a number of factors that should be considered before making a selection. Common questions we ask interested buyers, include: What are the project objectives? How much area needs to be covered? What sort of flight duration is required? Are you collecting data? What is your payload? What is your experience level? And, finally, what is your budget? Once we understand the client’s needs and the operational environment, the choice comes into focus.

Fixed Wing Considerations 7200_c

Fixed-wings are generally better suited for rural environments and are work horses for many commercial and scientific applications. Though they may not offer the maneuverability of a multi-rotor, when it comes to flight times and coverage, fixed wings excel. Other advantages include:
  • Capability of operating at higher altitudes
  • Faster flight speeds
  • Power and capacity to carry heavier and, in some cases, multiple payloads – which in turn means the ability to gather more sophisticated data
  • Option to choose from a wider variety of sensors
  • Extended flight times, 60 minutes +
  • Larger coverage
In regards to the operational area required, it depends on the vehicle. Fixed wings need more space for takeoffs and landings. While hand-launched models deploy quickly, others require a launching rail. The initial costs to purchase a fixed-wing systems are higher but these systems are fairly inexpensive to maintain due to their simpler design. And there is usually less operational “down-time” for fixed-wings.  

M600-1-300x251@2x (1)Multi-rotor Considerations

The use of multi-rotors has exploded in recent years in large part due to their affordability and ease of use. But multi-rotor advantages certainly extend beyond these two points. Other advantages include:
  • Highly maneuverable in flight which is great for urban and tightly confined areas
  • Ability to hover – which make it an excellent choice for inspections of infrastructure that require close-up examination
  • Easy to operate and deploys quickly
  • Small takeoff and landing footprint
  • Affordable price-point
In flight, multi-rotors are incredibly maneuverable and can hover which make them the preferred choice for detailed inspection work and urban areas where space limitations are at a premium. They are also the obvious choice for video and photography work. Though multi-rotors provide only limited flight duration (15-20 minutes on average), their operational flexibility makes it a favored choice for many urban applications. Ultimately, the choice between a multi-rotor or fixed-wing for a specific application depends on a variety of factors. Understanding the strengths and limitations of each vehicle goes a long way in helping inform your decision.

Click here for the Fixed Wing or Multirotor Infographic!

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