Captor UAS: Fully 3D Printed Commercial Drone by O’Qualia

Singapore-based unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and manufacturing company O’Qualia has launched the Captor UAS, a commercially available 3D printed drone.

In order to adapt to the changing demands and requirements of different customers, O’Qalia has designed the drone to be completely modular. Prior to its launch in 2015, the company has conducted extensive market research to determine applications and potential challenges in daily operation of UAS.

 “Captor is the platform to build a high level of familiarity with drones and at the same time it evolves as one’s demands grow”, explains Elias Moseer, Head of Product Innovation. “Just as various parts can be rotated and added to a Dremel to expand on its functionality and usage, Captor empowers each user to dictate how far or fast the product can be diversified to address different needs as they happen.”

The drone’s individual components were segregated to ensure the toughest resilience for each 3D printed part. The 4 aerodynamic and streamlined sections, that are easily assembled and disassembled, can be reprinted separately if needed, as STL files are supplied with the system. Additionally, parts can also be ordered from O’Qualia as well as 3D printing service providers. The Captor UAS, with a wingspan of 800 mm,  is able carry up to 450 g of payload in a compartment attached to the airframe by a click mechanism. Stress tests conducted by O’Qualia demonstrated the resilience of the drone’s key parts, with their internal framing structure being stiff enough to withstand force, yet at the same time light enough.

“With aerial imaging sensors becoming smaller and more advanced every day, one should not be tied to a particular sensor, but should be able to experiment and exchange sensors easily without needing to overhaul complete systems or be sensor integrator experts,” added Moseer.

The Captor UAS is available for limited pre-orders at $ 2,750, with regular prices ranging from $ 5,000 to $ 14,000. O’Qualia is also collaborating with 3D printing services to provide affordable reprinting on an international level.