Institution of Engineering Designers interview

info • 23 August 2019

iED speaks to Clogworks Technologies CEO about Dark Matter designs

Following on from an additive manufacturing video filmed in cooperation with KTN last year, Peter Opdam, Clogworks Technologies’ CEO, featured in the summer edition of the Engineering Designer magazine (iED).

In the 3-page iED article, he explains the different steps he takes to create the Dark Matter UAV designs, the company’s trademark. The role the drone has to perform plays an important part, however the designs come from the knowledge of equipment capabilities as well as required attributes, such as great flight performance, weather-resistance, modularity, ruggedness, strength, ease of transportation and maintenance friendliness.

Peter also briefly expresses his views on where the drone industry is and its scope for the future. The number of drone uses increase everyday and at Clogworks Technologies we want them to benefit society!

About the Institution of Engineering Designers (IED)

The Institution of Engineering Designers (IED) is a British professional engineering institution founded in 1945, chartered in 2012 with members worldwide. It is the premier membership body representing engineering and product designers. The IED publishes six issues of the journal 'Engineering Designer' each year. The journal is available in printed format or electronically as part of the subscription to IED members. For more information, please visit: www.ied.org.uk

About Clogworks Technologies

Clogworks Technologies is a UK manufacturer of high quality precision engineered carbon fibre unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and accessories. The organisation specialises in delivering UAV solutions to professional UAV operators involved in industrial, security and commercial applications, strive for great customer relations and constantly invest in innovation. For more information, please visit: www.clogworks.com

31 December 2025
The Dark Matter® hX and qD Gen 3 are the new 2025 versions of our proven aircraft. So, what's new? On the exterior, our striking design bares a lot of resemblance to the first generation. We have also kept the modular aspects, providing better flexibility and future-proofing for our customers. But don't let that fool you in to thinking that's all we have changed. Benefitting of years of customers feedback and continuous improvement as well as the industry development in avionics, sensors and batteries, these systems are better than ever! The payload capacity is improved further thanks to our new bespoke drivetrain and stronger chassis. These aircraft offer up to 84 minutes flight time each. The aircraft are designed for quick deployment; assembly can be conducted in a couple of minutes in the field without the need of a single tool. We can integrate gimballed EO, IR or dual sensor cameras to replace our previously fixed FPV camera, leaving the payload bay free for further sensors. The platforms are compatible with a wide range of payloads from partners we have been working with over the years and new ones. The systems can be configured with various tethers, cameras, Lidars or emergency response equipment, to name but a few.  These aircraft are therefore capable of conducting many aerial applications.
18 December 2025
The Dark Matter® Star is a foldable drone that has been designed specifically for intelligence gathering purposes. Its acronym stands for: - Surveillance - Tactical - Aerial - Reconnaissance The aircraft is foldable for quick deployment and can integrate EO, IR or dual sensor cameras as standard. It boasts an AI module too to help the operator continuously monitor the video feed, as required.
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3 February 2025
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