Accu fasteners are integral in innovative whale-monitoring technology

Marine conservation is renowned for being physically challenging for both the conservationist and their equipment. Tandem Ventures was therefore looking for robust and reliable fasteners to be used within WHASER, a drone conservation system which uses highly advanced technology with cutting-edge LiDAR capabilities. This would enable it to take to the skies and measure humpback whales with scientific accuracy.

Accu's engineers played a critical role in refining the WHASER system by selecting specific fasteners designed to improve the drone's flight time, ease of assembly and resistance to the harsh Icelandic environment and sea sprays.

Sam Rogers, Conservation Engineer from Tandem Ventures explains: "The challenge was to compact-ify the device into its smallest possible form; the smaller it is, the lighter its weight - every gram saved increases the drone's flight time. Accu's self-tapping screws reduced the part count, and their PEEK fasteners were six times lighter than the alternatives, resulting in a featherweight invention to help conservation."

Alastair Morris, Managing Director of Accu said: "We're incredibly proud to play our part in supporting conservation of whales by providing components for advanced drone technology. The use of lightweight, specialised fasteners will help provide valuable insights into marine life and pave the way for future drone advancements, potentially setting new industry benchmarks for field research tools."

The project involved the supply of a number of Accu fasteners, including Polyfix screws, which eliminated the need for embedded nuts, which simplified the assembly process and reduced the overall weight of WHASER. Manufactured from A2 Stainless Steel they also provided superb corrosion resistance for use in a marine environment.

In addition, a crucial design upgrade to WHASER meant replacing traditional but heavy stainless-steel bolts with Accu's high performance PEEK (semicrystalline thermoplastic and high purity polymerbolts) which are six times lighter. This weight reduction directly contributed to increased drone flight times and enhanced operational efficiency for Whale Wise.

Using Accu's precision-engineered fasteners not only streamlined WHASER's construction but also aligned with its sustainability goals. By reducing weight, the project minimised material use and improved energy efficiency, which are key considerations for modern drone technology.

The WHASER drone will be utilised as part of Mission Humpback. This Mission doesn't just involve observation of the whales, however; the use of performance enhancing precision components means the researchers will be able to assess the long-term consequences of fishing gear entanglements on these majestic marine giants.

Designed to capture accurate measurements of humpback whales with its advanced LiDAR scanning capabilities, WHASER allows Whale Wise to monitor and track the size, weight and movement patterns of humpback whales. Pairing this data with historical photos of whale scar patterns allows individual whales to be tracked, including those known to Whale Wise.

Mission Humpback highlights the growing importance and wide range of applications for precision engineering components in conservation technology.

As the world faces unprecedented environmental challenges, the future of conservation will depend on innovations like the WHASER system. By using cutting-edge tools like these, researchers can collect accurate data, monitor animal behaviour and assess the impacts of human activity on marine ecosystems.