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Government and industry representatives
have gathered at Wales’s Snowdonia
Aerospace Centre to watch Unmanned
Aircraft Systems (UAS) take on a series of
innovative missions.
The week-long event, hosted by QinetiQ
in partnership with the Welsh Government
and
Snowdonia
Aerospace
LLP,
demonstrated how drones flown from the
airfield can help to tackle environmental
issues and other commercial challenges.
in managing the threat to the Welsh coast
from erosion and flooding.
Coastal scenario: erosion and flooding
A Bramor rTK drone, with a wingspan of 2.3m, flew from the
airfield and out over the Welsh coast to collect data on the
area’s vulnerability to erosion and flooding. A high-definition
camera took a series of pictures that can be layered to provide
a 3D model of the area’s topography. The 3D model can be
filled with ‘virtual water’ to indicate which areas would be
submerged in the event of a flood.
Around 60 per cent of the Welsh population lives in coastal
areas, with an estimated 84,731 properties at risk from
tidal flooding. Around 2,000 properties will be at risk from
coastal erosion over the next 100 years if there is no active
management.
The exercise demonstrated how drones could help to spot
the warning signs early, enabling better
preparedness and timelier response.
Guests learned how similar missions could
be used to monitor flora and fauna in
sensitive natural habitats.
Maritime scenario: fisheries protection
A 2.3m Bramor C4Eye drone, equipped
with a small video camera, was launched
from the airfield and flew out over
Cardigan Bay, where it approached a
Welsh Government fisheries patrol vessel
to collect data on its position.
The activity showed how authorities can
investigate vessels for signs of illegal fishing. Authorities can
act on the information immediately to prevent further offences,
or use it as evidence to pursue prosecutions at a later date.
Welsh Government Economy Minister Edwina Hart said: “Wales
is well placed to take advantage of the growing interest and
use of drones for a wide range of civilian uses. These trials
illustrate the benefits that can be realised and highlight the
facilities and expertise available in Wales. We have two unique
centres in Wales – at Llanbedr and Aberporth – that have
benefited from significant infrastructure investment and are in
pole position to maximise these emerging opportunities and
attract investment as the technology develops.”
Flying demo highlights commercial potential of drones in Wales
Optomec 3D Printing Systems Used in Mass Production of
Consumer Electronics
Optomec, a leading global supplier of
production-gradeadditivemanufacturing
systems for 3D printed metals and 3D
printed electronics, today announced its
Aerosol Jet technology is being used by
LITE-ON Mobile Mechanical SBG (LITE-
ON) for high-volume production of
electronic devices. LITE-ON, a global
contract manufacturer, has pioneered
a 3D Direct Printing (3DP) solution
that enables 3D antenna patterns and
other functional electronics to be integrated into virtually
any mechanical structure or cover – maximizing design
flexibility, ensuring optimal placement and performance,
and allowing slimmer product designs.
“With the flexibility provided by Aerosol
Jet technology, our 3DP systems can print
sensors, antennas, and other functional
electronics onto plastic components and
covers as well as metal die-cast insert-
molded polymer frames and even onto
glass panels and ceramic materials,”
said Henrik Johansson, Senior Manager,
Technology Development Antennas, at
LITE-ON. “We see Aerosol Jet as a
strategic component of our 3DP solution,
which has enabled us to expand into new markets.”
LITE-ON first purchased Aerosol Jet technology to develop
prototypes for its OEM customers, which include world
leading communication device, personal care and
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) take
on a series of innovative missions
10 l New-Tech Magazine Europe