Modular RC Submarine with Active Depth Control

My name is Daniel Huber, and I am currently in my 4th year of Mechatronics engineering at the HTBLA-Wien 3 Rennweg in Vienna, Austria. I am currently working on a highly complex project: a fully modular, remote-controlled underwater ROV/Submarine.

Project Overview

The submarine is a sophisticated mechatronic system with a diameter of 85mm and a length of 690mm, designed completely from scratch using PTC Creo 10. It features an innovative two-layer design: a fully waterproof inner core housing a 3S4P Li-Ion battery pack and custom electronics, and a flooded outer hull.

Key Technical Features:

Active Depth Control: Powered by an ESP32 microcontroller utilizing a precise PID loop. It dynamically controls two independent ballast tanks driven by stepper motors.

Tethered Surface Communication: A custom tether cable transmits real-time telemetry and battery status to a surface buoy, broadcasting a live VTX video feed directly to an FPV headset for precision steering.

High-Res Sub-Surface Imaging: Features a dedicated modular slot for an Insta360 GO 3S camera to capture cinematic underwater footage up to a calculated target depth of 25 meters.

Extreme Modularity: The hull is engineered with a screwless, interlocking mechanism for easy maintenance. It includes a custom external mounting rail for quick mission-specific attachments (such as high-powered LED arrays, trim weights, or future robotic arms).

Why I Critically Need SLS Nylon PA12

To ensure the submarine functions correctly under pressure, the outer hull parts and the internal pump housing must be manufactured using high-density SLS Nylon (PA12).

Standard FDM 3D prints suffer from micro-porosity and the capillary effect, meaning they absorb water over time. Even a tiny change in mass would completely ruin the delicate PID ballast calculation, rendering the submarine unable to resurface. 100% solid SLS Nylon parts will prevent water absorption while providing the extreme impact resistance required to survive underwater obstacles and collisions.

Marketing & What I Offer in Return

I am launching a dedicated YouTube channel focused entirely on the world of RC submarines and underwater engineering: https://www.youtube.com/@Submarine-dh

This specific modular submarine is the flagship project for the channel launch. In exchange for your support, I will gladly provide the following marketing value for PCBWay:

Dedicated Video Feature:

A prominent shoutout and showcase of PCBWay's manufacturing quality in the upcoming assembly and testing video.

Social Media & Link Placement:

PCBWay will be prominently linked in the video description as well as shared and credited on my dedicated WhatsApp channel to reach my community.

High-Quality Footage:

I will provide you with stunning underwater footage captured by the integrated Insta360 camera, showcasing your printed parts in action for your social media or community gallery.

To give you a better visual understanding of the complex internal mechatronics and the final look of the submarine, I have attached two CAD renderings from Creo 10 (External view & Cross-section view) below.

I am looking forward to potentially collaborating with PCBWay to bring this submarine to life!

Note for the sourcing team: This is a 3D printing project (no PCBs needed). I have already uploaded the 3D files (STL) to my cart, and they successfully passed the engineering review (Pass, Payment). Ready for production!