Frequently Asked Questions

Drones

Which drone is best for my company?

The choice of platform mostly depends on the type of application that you intend to use it for. Neo is often used for applications that require a system capable of lifting heavy payloads in high wind/ wet environments. Also, being an octocopter, Neo offers a greater level of redundancy. This is why it is a popular choice for industries with high safety requirements like jobs requiring flying over cities and people and specific types of inspections.

Zoe is recommended for companies whose jobs require a longer flight time while still considering weather proofing and robustness. Frequent applications include aerial surveying/ land mapping, infrastructure inspection and live broadcasting using our tether system.

With the new Noa, you get the best of both worlds. Being a hexacopter, it offers motor redundancy and the longest flight time of the line-up. It can be used to work with payloads ranging from 0-20kg, making it an incredibly versatile system. We’ve seen people use it to autonomously map large areas using a Sony A7R series camera, whereas cinematographers would opt for a bigger rig such as the DJI Ronin 2 with RED cinema camera.

If you already know which platform would be best for your company, then that’s great. If you’re not sure yet, no problem. Acecore will work together with you to find the best fit.

Are Acecore drones truly wind- and weatherproof?

Since the first Neo was created, Acecore has been obsessed with being able to fly their drones in all conditions. We believe there is no use in having a premium system if you can’t use it in areas where rain and wind is common. As a manufacturer claiming to produce weatherproof drones, we often get asked what the IP rating of our drones is.

Thruthfully we do not believe that IP is a practical criterion when talking about drone weatherproofing. As recent news confirms, even IP43 certified drones can potentially spiral down when confronted with unexpected rain conditions.

Acecore’s Neo and Zoe drone were developed to be weatherproof in the real world, where rain fall from the top down and downfall intensity is measure by millimeters per hour. Through a combination of controlled as well as real world testing we can guarantee our products to be elevating. Literally and figuratively.

The maximum amount of rain may differ per system, please refer to the supplied product manual to find the exact mm/h number.

Being a quadcopter, is redundancy an issue with Zoe?

By nature, a quadcopter will never be as redundant as an octocopter. Though, to compensate, Zoe can be fitted with an emergency parachute system. Acting much like an airbag in a car, the parachute will automatically or manually deploy in case of an engine failure. A complementary module will shut down the other engines to make for a smoother descent of the system.

Do Acecore drones use an FPV camera as standard?

While most drones that Acecore ships are equipped with an FPV package (including the camera, transmitter, receiver, and monitor/ FPV goggle) it is not a standard option. This is because for certain missions you either fly autonomously or have a primary camera payload that can be used for pilot orientation. Leaving out the FPV package in this case results in a lighter system, improving flight times.

The difference between the DJI A3 flight controller and Cube flight controller is the level of transparency and professionality. The DJI variant will always be an intermediate to semi-professional alternative. It works well for most basic operations such as aerial photo- and cinematography, though lacks features for more complicated missions as autonomous wind turbine inspections. This is where Cube excels, being the industry standard for the most demanding missions.

If you’re a developer planning on using Acecore drones to integrate your hard/ software with; Cube is your friend. The open sourced flight controller offers the transparency and tools developers need to focus on adding value and not building drones.

When talking about horizontal flight distance, one should consider some things. For example; an Acecore Zoe can potentially reach a distance from the operator upwards of 30km on a single charge of battery. It won’t have enough battery to make the trip back without landing, though. Realistically, our users should account for a maximum of 10km real-world distance. This leaves enough margin to ensure a safe homecoming.

Altitude (height) really isn’t something that a lot of professionals struggle with; regulations in most areas won’t allow drones to fly higher than 120m. Any commercial drone should be able to reach this height without trouble.

If you’re really wondering how high an Acecore drone can fly, though; 3km according to our calculations. Unfortunately, there is currently no way for us to test this without breaking the law.

Professionals will know that flight time is the biggest variable in modern day drone usage. It is highly dependent on factors such as temperature, weather and payload weight.

What we know for sure is that Noa offers the longest flight time possible. Without any payload weight it can fly for 60 real-world minutes using two 23A serial battery packs. Adding a 2KG payload like our Gary security camera, the flight time will drop to about 55 minutes before the automatic return-to-home will trigger.

Zoe quadcopter takes the second place. It can stay airborne for up to 40 minutes without any payload attached. With an average payload of about 1kg this would be reduced to 35 minutes. When Zoe is combined with Acecore’s tether solution; flight time becomes virtually unlimited and the system can stay airborne for hours continuously.

Neo’s lightest flyable setup tops out at 30 minutes when flown in nominal weather conditions. With a useful payload of 1.5kg Neo will be able to stay airborne for 25 continuous minutes until it needs a pit stop to switch batteries.

Payload & cameras

All three Acecore drones are highly customizable platforms. There is a wide range of camera and measurement solutions that Acecore has already worked with and have proven their capabilities with previously sold systems. These payloads are the safest options to choose from as Acecore can ensure these will work with their drones.

If your workflow is optimized to work with a payload that is not on the list yet, there is a good chance that Acecore will be able to get that working with your future drone as well. Though, as some technologies are just not compatible, we cannot guarantee up front that the drone will work as desired, combined with your camera/ payload of choice.

I would like to start using drones, which payload/ camera should I choose?

Much like the choice of the platform itself, the choice of payload is dependent on the application that the drone is going to be used for. For example, a (daylight) inspection or videography company would benefit most from a high-end optical sensor camera and lens combination, while a security firm would be better off using a dual sensor day/ night gimbal camera. Though, the possibilities are huge, and with the right mindset a lot is possible. For example; Acecore has developed custom modules in the past, used for carrying and locating steel cables in transmission towers.

When deciding on a payload, disregard the drone aspect for a second and imagine what you want to achieve. I.e. you want to have an eye in the sky for surveilling your construction site at night. This can be solved by using an EO/IR gimbal camera.

For a personalised advise, Acecore would be more than glad to support you at +31 6 18685736 or sales@acecoretechnologies.com

Can I still control my payload camera while the drone is flying?

When using an Acecore drone in combination with a camera/ sensor as a payload, you will always have full control over your settings, zoom, focus etc. while airborne. It does not matter what camera it is that you’re using; you are in command.

Order process

Because every Acecore drone is built to order, we do not have a webshop for our products. Instead, Acecore values the process of personalizing and customizing the solution to be able to best serve the client’s company.

To either initiate the order process or open-endedly discuss the possibilities and request additional material, you can reach out to us at sales@acecoretechnologies.com or (during CET working hours) at +31 6 18685736.

At Acecore, we understand that investments are not based on pretty blue eyes. If our photos, videos, and brochures have not convinced you yet, you are more than welcome to come and see our machines in action in a personalized demonstration displaying exactly what you need to see. We might even come to you, depending on how good your coffee is.

If there is a custom feature or addition that you require to make the most out of your Acecore system, let us know as soon as you apply for an inquiry. Chances are that one of our engineers is more than happy to integrate these technologies in your prospective drone.

Though, we must disclose that sometimes in hindsight there isn’t a good fit between two technologies. In this case Acecore will cease the R&D for this integration and notify you, invoicing only the costs made to come to this point.

Customer can account for a delivery time of 6-8 weeks when ordering a base RTF system without any custom integrations. Any additions or alterations made to the standard setup can result in longer development and thus delivery times.

After-sales

Should you be unlucky enough to crash or damage your drone during transport or operation, please contact your local dealer first. They will arrange for the drone to be shipped to the Acecore Headquarters, where we will draft a damage report and confirm what exactly went wrong.

Acecore explicitly designed their drones to have an adaptable modular design, which comes in handy in case of damaging. Instead of replacing the entire frame, we are able to replace only the parts that are actually damaged. For example, a Neo with a cracked arm can be shipped back to you in no-time after replacing only the damaged arm, leaving the expensive and sensitive electronics untouched.

For brief questions about Acecore products, services or processes it’s fastest to call the sales staff at +31 6 18685736. All (technical) questions can be sent to sales@acecoretechnologies,

For customer and prospect service, Acecore can be contacted via their official Facebook page (messenger) and Whatsapp at +31 6 18685736.

In general, users are not allowed to alter their system independently of Acecore’s approval. If they do so, Acecore cannot be held responsible for any malfunctioning of the system from that point onward.

Should your system require any alterations or modifications, always contact Acecore first. More often than not, we will be able to provide you with these adjustments. This way, we can ensure that the performance of the drone is not compromised.

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