Lightweight modular transporter box: structural validation and flight-range assessment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35335/jict.v16i2.312Keywords:
Finite Element Method, Hexacopter Drone, Polyethylene Terephthalate, Transporter Box, UAVAbstract
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are increasingly applied in logistics, yet their payload and endurance remain key constraints. This research addresses the problem by developing a lightweight modular transporter box for the DJI Matrice 600 hexacopter. The objective was to ensure structural reliability while maintaining operational flight range. A quantitative approach was applied: design requirements and objectives (DR&O) were established, five 3D design iterations were created, and finite element analysis (FEA) was performed to evaluate stress, deformation, and safety factors. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was selected as the construction material due to its strength-to-weight ratio and recyclability. Endurance analysis incorporated empirical flight speed and battery degradation models to assess the effect of payload integration. The final prototype achieved a mass of 1.79 kg, carried a 5 kg payload, and maintained a factor of safety of 4.46. Flight analysis confirmed an operational range of 18.8 km in 16.8 minutes, exceeding the minimum 11 km requirement. These results demonstrate that PET-based transporter boxes can provide lightweight, modular, and structurally safe payload solutions without significantly reducing UAV endurance. The study contributes to UAV logistics applications in defense and emergency delivery, and future work will involve prototype fabrication and experimental validation.
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