Cracks, Cracks, Cracks. In the upper shell of my Mavic Air 2

[silverdragon]

I got'em. In the top shell of the Mavic Air 2...

A quick background....I learned from the Autel Evo 1 to lift the AC then insert batteries.... 2 years ago. So the on the left side is not from battery installation. The right side, didnt form an opinion yet.

I'm not upset, mad, nor angry... just furious. Only kidding there..... I been in the CNC manufacturing arena for 40 years and 6 of them wonderful years I setup and ran Plastic Injection Molding Machines. I ran during the six years injection molding plus 2 years on the Blow Injection so I do have some knowledge in that field. I forgot to mention that the 6 year gig I did my own Quality Control and SPC semi old methodology. Still productive in some cases... getting back to the CRACKS. There are many reason to why the plastic cracks even if you just picked up and put down the Plastic Molded Object on a hard surface several times a day... I've seen plastic crack just from a vibration during Quality Control testing. Probably the reason for these cracks. There are plastics very sensitive to vibrations and if you throw a little more money into the pot you can mold plastic parts that would never crack due to vibration no matter how thin the part. Well no use writing a book here. I just want to let the fliers know that with no abuse to this particular drone the plastics has some tendency to CRACK....

 

[lannes]

Never saw any of these types of cracks on the 1st gen DJI compact drones, I notice the build quality is a bit lower with the MM and MA2.
They just don't seem to be as well made as before, the plastic moulding looks cheaper, I guess they are using lighter less durable materials to reduce weight and improve performance

 

[95blklsc]

This isn't great to hear. I think I've seen at least one other post with the same issue. Like you said it could be any number things that don't include abuse. Given that they likely use this same plastic in all the Mavic drones, it's probably more of a mold design or injection parameter issue (temp, pressure, etc) causing some molded in stress. I hope they get on it and fix it for people and not claim that everyone is abusing their drone. It could be a simple issue that an inserted, friction fit part for the folding arm is out of spec or designed wrong and putting too much stress on the surrounding plastic.

 

[boblui]

This is not the first report about cracks seen on MA2's shell. Seems that the signature issue of Phantoms is reappearing

 

[lannes]

This is not the first report about cracks seen on MA2's shell. Seems that the signature issue of Phantoms is reappearing

View attachment 113097
View attachment 113098

Cheaper plastic makes it less costly to produce and more profit

 

[boblui]

Other reports :

Cracks in the shell

Hello Today I found some cracks in my mavic air 2 Just above the hinges for the front arms Does anyone has these too? Mailed dji about it still waiting for answer

mavicpilots.com

Tiny micro crack and sligt protrusion on fuselage

I recently noticed two sligt protrusions and a tiny crack on the fuselage right above both front leg hinge mechanisms. I believe that the screw in the mechanism is protruding up towards the plastic above which has now caused a tiny micro crack, I fear that this crack might expand. has anybody...

mavicpilots.com

Mavic Air 2 with stress crack near battery latch after 3 hours flight time - anyone have this issue ?

Hi all, I have a Mavic Air 2 with less than 3 hours flight time that developed a stress crack from the inside near where the battery release catch sits. The drone has had NO collisions or rough landings and was flying on a hot summer day and landed with this stress crack. (i inspect before and...

mavicpilots.com

 

[boblui]

Another case. Cracks seen on both sides.

 

[Deleted member 114292]

How do you know they are cracks and not scratches?

 

[Mav1c]

How do you know they are cracks and not scratches?

Those are certainly cracks.. they also will feel different than scratches

 

[Deleted member 114292]

Those are certainly cracks.. they also will feel different than scratches

I see so you can tell by how they feel. Interesting. Can you describe the difference in the feeling?

 

[boblui]

I see so you can tell by how they feel. Interesting. Can you describe the difference in the feeling?

What could have caused several crafts having similar "scratches" at the same position which happens to be a stress point ? I have not mentioned it but DJI replaced the shell free of charge in the last case.

 

[spamgnome]

How long after purchase did these cracks appear? If DJI repairs, then great, but if past the warranty period or DJI refuses to do anything about it, I'd be tempted to CAREFULLY stop-drill those cracks.

 

[hiflyer201]

Another case. Cracks seen on both sides.

the position of those two cracks look like something caused by a hard landing to me. Could it be that the landing system on the Air 2 is allowing a harder than usual touchdown?

 

[Deleted member 114292]

What could have caused several crafts having similar "scratches" at the same position which happens to be a stress point ? I have not mentioned it but DJI replaced the shell free of charge in the last case.

Good point that makes sense.
I gave my M2P a once over with the opti-visor - nothing like that at all. The M2P shell is pretty solid.

 

[Mav1c]

I see so you can tell by how they feel. Interesting. Can you describe the difference in the feeling?

A scratch would be on the surface of the shell material and a crack would be much deeper due to the material separating. Therefore running your finger over a crack you’d feel the separation. Also, not sure what would cause random scratches on stress points on several different aircraft and not be longer than a few centimeters

 

[silverdragon]

Another case. Cracks seen on both sides.

View attachment 113116
View attachment 113117

Now this is interesting, the crack in the bottom photo clones my crack. I thought it was copy of my drone.

 

[SpitFire]

That is why its very important to have some sort of Check list. My preflight check list includes Check for cracks in the body. The other thing I check is Battery swelling/outer damage to the battery. Anybody tried super glue on some of cracks posted here? Have not got a crack in my hull, just asking.

 

[SpitFire]

I got'em. In the top shell of the Mavic Air 2...

A quick background....I learned from the Autel Evo 1 to lift the AC then insert batteries.... 2 years ago. So the on the left side is not from battery installation. The right side, didnt form an opinion yet.

I'm not upset, mad, nor angry... just furious. Only kidding there..... I been in the CNC manufacturing arena for 40 years and 6 of them wonderful years I setup and ran Plastic Injection Molding Machines. I ran during the six years injection molding plus 2 years on the Blow Injection so I do have some knowledge in that field. I forgot to mention that the 6 year gig I did my own Quality Control and SPC semi old methodology. Still productive in some cases... getting back to the CRACKS. There are many reason to why the plastic cracks even if you just picked up and put down the Plastic Molded Object on a hard surface several times a day... I've seen plastic crack just from a vibration during Quality Control testing. Probably the reason for these cracks. There are plastics very sensitive to vibrations and if you throw a little more money into the pot you can mold plastic parts that would never crack due to vibration no matter how thin the part. Well no use writing a book here. I just want to let the fliers know that with no abuse to this particular drone the plastics has some tendency to CRACK....View attachment 113090View attachment 113091

So, with your experience in that field, what would you recommend if a pilot finds a crack after owning a drone for years. Super Glue?

 

[DavidT_ NZ]

That is why its very important to have some sort of Check list. My preflight check list includes Check for cracks in the body. The other thing I check is Battery swelling/outer damage to the battery. Anybody tried super glue on some of cracks posted here? Have not got a crack in my hull, just asking.

I would use a penetrating super glue, also. Or a high grade two part clear epoxy. But if in warranty and not caused by a heavy landing, send it back.

 

[maven4336]

Very sad to see,thought I would never see the new plastics crack compared to the old phantom 4pro, so I have the first Mavic and the Mavic2pro over 2 years tons of flights ,seems that darker plastic is stronger compared to the Mavic air2 lighter color ?