Proto Labs’ Latest Cool Idea! is Part Airplane, Part Helicopter, All Cool
17 Abril 2012 - 1:05PM
Business Wire
The Quadshot is a remote-controlled aircraft combining the
stability and control of a helicopter with the speed and
maneuverability of an airplane. The creative minds behind the
innovative technology just won a Proto Labs Cool Idea! Award.
The Quadshot (Photo: Proto Labs)
Using four independent motors, The Quadshot takes off vertically
and hovers like a helicopter, enabling it to pitch and roll in all
directions. But at the press of a button it adjusts orientation and
zooms forward like an airplane – capable of high speeds and
dazzling aerobatics.
“There’s really nothing quite like the Quadshot,” says
mechanical engineer Jeff Gibboney. “No other RC aircraft can take
off straight up, hover and fly like a docile trainer and then
transform into an aerobatics plane simply by flipping a
switch.”
The Quadshot uses gyroscopes, accelerometers, and
microprocessors – originally developed for smart phones – to run
software that makes flight extremely intuitive. Additionally, both
the onboard electronics and software are open-source, allowing
users to modify the aircraft and its flight capabilities, adding to
the appeal for both hobbyists and researchers alike. The Quadshot
can be purchased fully assembled and ready to fly, or ordered in
one of three packages that encourage software and build
customization. Mounting a camera, additional sensors or flight
instruments are just a few of the seemingly endless
possibilities.
“The Quadshot is the very definition of a cool idea,” says Proto
Labs founder and CTO Larry Lukis. “It’s obviously going to be a
blast to operate for hobbyists everywhere, and with the open-source
elements that are certain to be embraced by that community, the
research implications are fascinating.”
Gibboney and his design team learned of the Cool Idea! program
while researching injection molding. “I’d already connected with
Proto Labs to learn about injection molding properties,” says Jeff.
“They have extremely helpful customer service and engineers that
provide expert advice over the phone. The first parts we received
were perfect and shipped to us incredibly quickly.”
In terms of how winning the Cool Idea! Award has impacted their
production process, Jeff adds, “It’s been amazing. Having our parts
covered by Proto Labs has freed up capital to dedicate to other
areas as we prepare for our product launch. Plus, being part of the
small but highly talented group of designers and engineers that can
call themselves Cool Idea! winners is a tremendous honor.”
Cool Idea! is an award program offered by Proto Labs that gives
product designers the opportunity to bring innovative products to
life. In 2012, Proto Labs expanded the program’s reach to include
the European Union, and is now offering up to $250,000 of
prototyping and short-run production services. For more
information, visit www.protolabs.com/coolidea.
About Proto LabsProto Labs (NYSE:PRLB) is a leading
online and technology-enabled quick-turn manufacturer of low-volume
CNC-machined and injection molded custom parts for prototyping and
short-run production. The company provides “Real Parts, Really
Fast” to product developers worldwide and has two quick-turn
services in North America, Europe and Japan: Firstcut
(www.firstcut.com) CNC machining and Protomold (www.protomold.com)
injection molding. Both are capable of providing parts in as fast
as one business day. Product developers who use Proto Labs for
prototypes and short-run production can upload a 3D CAD file at any
one of Proto Labs online sites, get an interactive quotation and
place an order for Proto Labs services directly online. For more
information, visit: www.protolabs.com.
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