TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Metal Industries Research & Development Centre has developed a new carbon fiber composite processing technology that cuts drone component production time from an average of six hours to about 20 minutes.
Tsai Sheng-chi (蔡盛祺), deputy director of the institute’s process technology division, said more than 70% of a drone’s structure is made of carbon fiber composites to reduce weight and extend flight time. He added that most UAV airframes are designed as hollow structures to house control, power, and communication systems, per CNA.
Tsai said traditional drone airframes are made by manually layering carbon fiber sheets and then curing them at high temperatures. The process often requires more than ten layers, making production slow and inefficient. As a result, it is difficult for domestic drone makers to meet large overseas orders.
He added that manufacturers use materials such as air bladders or metal blocks to support the hollow structure inside drone bodies. However, air bladders can withstand only about 180 C and are not suitable for high-heat processes.
To overcome limitations in internal structural support, the institute said its technology enables carbon fiber composites to withstand high temperatures and pressure during molding. Once the structure is formed, the material can be quickly removed with water.
The government aims to position Taiwan as Asia’s hub for the drone supply chain among democratic countries and to reach an output value of NT$40 billion (US$1.29 billion) by 2030. To achieve this goal, it is developing key technologies to support mass production.
Tsai highlighted that production speed will be a key factor for entering the international drone supply chain and handling more than 10,000 orders annually.
Tsai said the technology began being used last year and continues this year in the production of rotary-wing UAV airframes, with test flights expected next year. From next year to 2028, it will also be used to produce wings for fixed-wing UAVs.
Some domestic drone makers are cooperating with the institute to develop materials and equipment to improve production processes, Tsai added. The institute hopes to help Taiwan’s drone sector build a complete ecosystem with strong key component supply capacity.
