| Issue |
MATEC Web Conf.
Volume 417, 2025
2025 RAPDASA-RobMech-PRASA-AMI Conference: Bridging the Gap between Industry & Academia - The 26th Annual International RAPDASA Conference, joined by RobMech, PRASA and AMI, co-hosted by CSIR and Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria
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|---|---|---|
| Article Number | 04021 | |
| Number of page(s) | 14 | |
| Section | Robotics and Mechatronics | |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/202541704021 | |
| Published online | 25 November 2025 | |
Performance analysis of propeller configurations: A study on blade diameter, pitch, and number of blades for optimal thrust
1 Scientific Multidisciplinary Advanced Research Technologies (SMART) Lab, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
2 Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
3 Department of Computer Science, Aberystwyth University, United Kingdom
* Nkosingiphile Langa: nkosingiphilekarllanga@gmail.com
Optimising thrust generation is fundamental to enhancing the performance, efficiency, and manoeuvrability of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), especially as their applications expand across diverse sectors. This paper presents a performance analysis of propeller configurations, investigating the effects of blade diameter, pitch, and blade count on thrust output. Utilising a custom-built, low-cost frictionless test rig, a systematic approach evaluated various configurations under controlled conditions. The results show how each factor influences performance and provides practical advice for improving UAV designs.
© The Authors, published by EDP Sciences, 2025
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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