The experts of tomorrow – regional victory at Jugend forscht with 3D-printed underwater drone

Almost exactly one year ago, we received an inquiry from the Youth Research Group at St. Michael Gymnasium in Bad Münstereifel. They asked us for assistance in sealing their 3D-printed underwater drone in a wetframe design.

In the wetframe design, the frame of the 3D-printed drone is not waterproof. Only the drone’s electronics are protected inside. These are located in an acrylic tube with end caps that are also 3D-printed. The particular challenge was to make these components completely waterproof, even under increased water pressure.

The team’s solution:
✔️ Production of precisely fitting molds
✔️ Sealing of the molds with dichtol
✔️ Encapsulation with epoxy resin for additional pressure stability

It was a matter of course for us to support the young, committed team and send them a bottle of dichtol. We are all the more delighted to celebrate the fantastic result with the team today: 1st place and regional victory in the technology category at the Jugend forscht regional competition in Krefeld.
This qualifies the project for the Jugend forscht e. V. state competition in North Rhine-Westphalia.

Congratulations to the entire team and continued success! 💚