Novel Drone Design Using an Optimization Software with 3D Model, Simulation, and Fabrication in Drone Systems Research

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Introduction.

The article presents a “new design concept and creative 3D design idea of a drone which was designed with the 3DExperience software” (lines 30-31).

According authors, “The objectives of this research are to simulate a drone frame to optimize the bottom cover, to study and compare concept shapes of the top cover, arm, leg bracket, and bottom cover of a drone using a trade-off study, and to analyze the force that is generated by the motors in order to determine how much the drone can handle.” (lines 37-41).

Only in section 2.2. Material Selection, authors are add more information about the research aim. The declare: “Since the objective of this project is to build a drone that is lightweight but strong enough to fly at a certain height for the longest period of time, (…)” (lines 131-132).

And only in section 2.1. Drone Frame and Originality in Design, authors are a bit more clear about the novelty of the drone design they are proposing: “The hexagonal shape of the honeycomb design is usually the strongest shape. This design will be more rigid and also light weight, where it is a new concept in drone designs” (lines 110-111).

General comments

I read, with great interest this article. Overall, the issues are presented clearly and with a sound sense of synthesis. The evolution of the research is easy to follow. The options adopted are clearly justified. The structure of the article is well defined and the research is sufficiently supported by up-to-date references.

I believe that the research presented has an innovative dimension that justifies its publication, which I recommend.

Specific comments

However, I make the following suggestions, which I believe may contribute to improve the final form of the article:

• I think that the authors focus too much on the research and "forget" to explain, at the outset, what the innovative character of the proposed design consists of. There is a lack of a state of the art that would allow the reader to understand this fundamental topic. Only intermittently, we will capture throughout the text some information on this subject. This is the case of the statement, highlighted above, in lines 110-111 (referred to above).
• This topic is related with the previous one. Authors state that “Researchers have a lot of interest in designing the parts of a drone and the design is depending on the application of the drone (…)” (lines 42-43). What applications are foreseen for this drone? Authors never mention this aspect, although they state its importance for the conception of drones design in general terms.
• A more specific issue concerns the environment simulation used: the 3DExperience software. I think the authors should justify why they choose this specific environment to develop their new drone concept. I think they should also reference it clearly: in the text and in the References section.

Formal issues to be resolved:

• Improve resolution of the followings figures: 4,5,6,10,11,12,13,14, and 15.
• Figure 11 is skewed. It should be fixed. Figures should be of equal size and visually well organised on the pages.
• Lines 231-235: repeated sentences should be eliminated (“The simulation results… Figure 11.”).
• A revision of the English could help improve the fluidity of the reading. Some passages of the text are too repetitive, and make it difficult to grasp the content.

A final comment.

About ASA material. I was surprised by the authors' comments on comparing the properties of ASA and ABS filament. According to the authors: “(…) while ABS material is chosen to be used at some parts to reduce the overall weight of the drone, since it is light but is still much stiffer and can withstand a greater stress before breaking as compared to ASA material” (lines 119-121). 

As far as I know, ASA is suposed to have better mechanical properties than ABS. If so, perhaps the authors could add clarification to help the reader understand their statement.

Author Response

Good day, I am resubmitting a manuscript entitled “Novel Drone Design using an Optimization Software with 3D Model, Simulation, and Fabrication in Drone Systems Research” for re-consideration for publication by Drones journal after making all corrections and formatting according to the suggestion given by the reviewers. Here are attached is the pdf file contain all the comments given by the reviewer and the reply to it.  

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

KPI images are quite grainy, this is figures 10->15.
I would recommend taking the images and then removing everything but the three columns.
The main part of the image is the part and some parameters, not the menu on the left and toolbar on top, these don't add relevant information.

Author Response

Good day, I am resubmitting a manuscript entitled “Novel Drone Design using an Optimization Software with 3D Model, Simulation, and Fabrication in Drone Systems Research” for re-consideration for publication by Drones journal after making all corrections and formatting according to the suggestion given by the reviewers. 

KPI images are quite grainy, this is figures 10->15.

I would recommend taking the images and then removing everything but the three columns.
The main part of the image is the part and some parameters, not the menu on the left and toolbar on top, these don't add relevant information. 

Ans: The figures 10->15 have been modified based on the reviewer. comments. 

Reviewer 3 Report

Please see attached pdf.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Good day, I am resubmitting a manuscript entitled “Novel Drone Design using an Optimization Software with 3D Model, Simulation, and Fabrication in Drone Systems Research” for re-consideration for publication by Drones journal after making all corrections and formatting according to the suggestion given by the reviewers. Here are attached is the pdf file contain all the comments given by the reviewer and the reply to it. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

please see attached pdf file

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Dear Editor,                                                                                                       March. 10, 2022                                                           

Good day, I am resubmitting a manuscript entitled “Novel Drone Design using an Optimization Software with 3D Model, Simulation, and Fabrication in Drone Systems Research” for re-consideration for publication by Drones journal after making all corrections and formatting according to the suggestion given by the reviewers. Here attached is the respond file to the reviewers’ comments.

 

Thank you 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf