Published on: 2026-05-14
Source: Saint Petersburg State Polytechnic University of Peter the Great –
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We continue to tell about the Priority 2030 team. Next in line is the project “Development of an integrated technology for obtaining composite structures by the overprinting method for the manufacture of UAV and aviation technology products” under the leadership of the head of the laboratory “Polymer composite materials” Ilya Kobynno.
The project is dedicated to the development of overprinting technologies. This year, the team continues to develop technologies for automated laying of composite products, as well as begins the development of polymer composite printing technologies directly on composite substrates.
Specialists have been working with composite materials and 3D printing for several years. Over time, the idea arose to connect these two technologies. It turned out that similar work is already being conducted worldwide for the space industry. Polymer scientists immediately began developing a concept on how to adapt their idea for aviation and UAVs. They started trying to make the first “clothing for the projectile,” producing small samples and testing their concept on simple elements.
Initially, the team could not devote much time and effort to the project. Entry into the “Priority 2030” program made it possible to resolve all organizational difficulties, provided resources, and gave an additional impetus for the development of the idea.
In a fairly short time, we were able to make significant progress in our idea and have come close to producing large samples, which allow a full assessment of the scalability of our technology,” commented Ilya Kobylin.
The combination of two classical methods — automated laying of thermoplastic prepregs and 3D printing — allows the manufacture of three-dimensional layered panels with complex geometry. The project results provide the opportunity to significantly increase the production rate of UAVs and improve their operational characteristics.
As of today, scientists have found many “narrow spots” in the initial concept and a number of solutions that allow overcoming them. The maturity of the technology now allows starting its transfer from the laboratory walls into real PLA production. This is a very important step for the team.
I have been engaged with thermoplastic composites for 11 years. The directions in this field are constantly changing and developing, which further motivates and interests me to continue working on this project and creating modern technologies. We strive to generate new ideas on how to further develop our project and what technologies we can create and apply to manufacture more complex and integrated parts of aviation technology,” noted Ilya Kobyno.
Team members are absolutely different specialists. There are also designers who develop fittings and geometry of parts, and people responsible for the technology of automated laying out, manufacture prototypes, participate in testing, are engaged in 3D printing, and analyze the results.
A real team was gathered over five years, and now with their knowledge and skills they surpass most of the participants in similar projects. Mostly, they recruited students from the master’s program “Mechanics of Polymer Composite Materials.” For example, Natalia Grozova joined the project in this way.
Last summer I completed a master’s degree in the field of “Mechanics of polymer composite materials.” During my master’s, I worked with optically transparent composites, then began actively mastering the technologies of automated laying of thermoplastic tape. This project is very interesting. There is quite a bit of variability here, where many different parameters and everything we can change are involved. We can work with a variety of materials, which is always an interesting case for solving problems,” Natalia shared.
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