Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40508463›Full record

ReviewMaterials (Basel, Switzerland)2025

Composite Filament Materials for 3D-Printed Drone Parts: Advancements in Mechanical Strength, Weight Optimization and Embedded Electronics.

Antreas Kantaros, Christos Drosos, Michail Papoutsidakis, Evangelos Pallis, Theodore Ganetsos

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Materials (Basel, Switzerland), 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Antreas KantarosDepartment of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0001-7927-1468
Christos DrososDepartment of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0001-8068-8885
Michail PapoutsidakisDepartment of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, Greece.
Evangelos PallisDepartment of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0003-2373-9775
Theodore GanetsosDepartment of Industrial Design and Production Engineering, University of West Attica, 12244 Athens, Greece.ORCID 0000-0003-2081-4960

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

The rapid advancement of 3D printing technologies has greatly assisted drone manufacturing, particularly through the use of composite filaments. This paper explores the impact of fiber-reinforced materials, such as carbon-fiber-infused PLA, PETG, and nylon, on the mechanical performance, weight optimization, and functionality of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The study highlights how additive manufacturing enables the fabrication of lightweight yet structurally robust components, enhancing flight endurance, stability, and payload capacity. Key advancements in high-speed fused filament fabrication (FFF) printing, soluble support materials, and embedded electronics integration are examined, demonstrating their role in producing highly functional UAV parts. Furthermore, the challenges associated with material processing, cost, and scalability are discussed, along with solutions such as advanced extruder designs and hybrid manufacturing approaches that combine 3D printing with CNC machining. By utilizing composite filaments and innovative fabrication techniques, 3D printing continues to redefine drone production, enabling rapid prototyping and on-demand customization. The use of carbon-fiber-infused PLA, PETG, and nylon has demonstrated outstanding improvements in strength-to-weight performance, structural durability, and dimensional stability-key factors for enhancing flight endurance, maneuverability, and payload capacity in UAV applications. These composite materials also support the integration of embedded electronics and functional features, reinforcing their suitability for high-performance drone parts. Looking forward, future research should explore the potential of nanocomposite filaments not as a replacement but as a complementary advancement to existing composites. These materials offer opportunities for further enhancing multifunctionality, such as thermal/electrical conductivity and in situ sensing, which could expand UAV capabilities significantly.

Indexed as

3D printingadditive manufacturingcarbon-fiber-infused materialscomposite filamentsdrone optimizationembedded electronicshigh-speed FFFhybrid manufacturingstructural integrityUAV fabrication

Identifiers

PMID40508463
PMCPMC12155913

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.