Dufour selects 9T Labs to supply drone components
Drone developer Dufour Aerospace has selected 9T Labs to be the supplier of structural composite connectors for its Aero2 tilt-wing drone
The range of connectors that 9T will supply will include components such as brackets and hinges.
Dufour explained that employing lightweight connectors ‘manufactured with additive manufacturing equipment and advanced post-processing’ was a critical part of its efforts to reduce the weight of the Aero2.
“Replacing a number of structural metal parts with highest performing thermoplastic composites will help Dufour Aerospace achieve the ambitious weight targets for the Aero2 program,” said Giovanni Cavolina, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of 9T Labs.
Simon Bendrey, Head of Design of Dufour Aerospace, said: “The importance of the smaller parts of an aircraft is often underestimated when it comes to contributing to weight. With 9T Labs, we have found a partner who is supporting us in exactly this critical area with surprisingly lightweight composite structural parts, without us having to make compromises in terms of durability and strength.”
Dufour successfully demonstrated the Aero2 earlier this year, and plans to begin commercial production in 2025.