Drone Logistics Ecosystem (DLE), a virtual ecosystem with a primary focus on stimulating innovation and commercialisation in the drone delivery industry, is collaborating with Sedaxis Advanced Materials, one of India’s fastest-growing companies in the composites equipment, 3D printing (AM), and materials sectors. DLE would investigate the use of AM for prototyping and small-scale production in collaboration with Sedaxis, as well as the implementation of manufacturing processes for scale-up and mass production.
This partnership would bring the latest developments in composites and additive manufacturing to DLE members, with a 25+ year presence in composites and a 4-year presence in additive manufacturing using polymers and composites.
AM for Prototyping and Manufacturing
The latest partnership may also aid in the establishment of collaborations with companies, research institutes, and universities involved in the Sedaxis and VIT (Vellore Institute of Technology) AM Centre of Excellence in Chennai, India. Collaborations can include education on composite additive manufacturing, technology implementation, pilot studies, and scaling up activities.
DLE member companies can now take advantage of Sedaxis’s additive manufacturing arm’s extensive benefits for drone design enhancement, performance optimisation, supply chain optimisation, prototyping, R&D, and series production activities, thanks to a state-of-the-art centre that includes AM technologies such as SLS (selective laser sintering), FDM (fused deposition modelling), Continuous fibre co-extrusion (Extrusion), and Vat photopolymerisation.
“The global drone industry has important ramifications for border security, food security, near-mile and last-mile deliveries, healthcare supply chains and more. As with any aerial vehicle, weight reduction is a critical aspect to improve both range and payloads. Composites have been proven to do just that and it’s time the drone industry adopts this as a standard for most of their products. DLE is an excellent global initiative for members to collaborate on product development, market access, consulting and contract manufacturing and we at Sedaxis are thrilled to be able to contribute to these objectives and help grow the safe and sustainable adoption of drones across industries.”
– Vishwanath Godavarty, Business Head, Sedaxis 3D Printing
According to Dr. Ali Jahanshahi, Global Executive Director of DLE, “What makes the rapidly emerging drone industry exciting is the unlimited access to new technologies that did not existed couple of decades ago. The industry is driven by young entrepreneurs keen to explore new material and more sustainable material compared to the traditional aerospace industry that is limited to stringing certification processes. Together with Sedaxis we would explore further the application of additive manufacturing for prototyping and small-scale production, while looking into implementation of manufacturing processes for scale-up and mass production.”
Drone Logistics Ecosystem
DLE is a global/virtual network of drone logistics companies, universities, public/government entities, and investors. The DLE’s goal is to bring stakeholders together to collaborate on standardisation in this rapidly emerging industry. As a result, it is accelerating cross-border marketing and commercialisation of its members’ products and services. Because the majority of companies in this industry are early-stage start-ups with limited access to funding, manpower, and expertise, DLE is an ideal platform for companies to share their expertise in order to co-develop products and services and/or gain necessary cross-border market access in collaboration with other members.
In one year, DLE has grown to include 49 organisations from 21 different countries, including 45 companies, two universities, and the world’s largest drone association, Japan UAS Industrial Development Association. We were able to generate several international proof-of-concept projects in a short period of time, with a few commercialisation prospects in the pipeline. Because of the pandemic, our movement has been limited, and DLE has been a great tool for our members to streamline communication and product development. We are developing a commercialisation model to assist our members in reaching the market faster in collaboration with other members.
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