First Try At This

PhilW_UK

PhilW_UK

Member
Hi all,

Newbie posting here, never ever seen one of these in real life, but I want one.

So I am building my first copter, from absolute scratch.

I have designed the frame for my quadcopter. Currently it is 370mm per side. I have the motor mounts and all the struts designed; I also have designed a centre boss where I can later mount the control system and possibly a camera and gymbal assembly.

The frame is being 3d printed (Makerbot replicator dual) The total weight of the frame minus all electronics and motors is going to be 628 grams

The motors will be 2212 820KV. Book Value 830g thrust giving total max lift of 3320 grams

ESC will be BLHeli 12a
GPS will be NEO-6M
CPU will be Naze 32 Funfly
Receiver will be IA6B receiver
Finally the Battery will be Turnigy 5000mAh 4S 20C-30c Lipo Battery Pack

My plan is based on the following weights

Frame 628g
Motors 208g (52g each)
Props 8g (2g each)
ESC 44g (11g each)
GPS 18g
CPU 7.3g
Reciever 14.9g
Battery 528g

1456.2g Would be the total weight of everything, fully assembled and ready to fly (Wires are included in the weights shown above.

3320g total lift, less 1456.2

This gives a total free thrust of 1863.8g.....

OK, This is about where I am at. I would be very grateful if anyone would have a few minutes to look through my proposed shopping list as far as the electronics are concerned.

I am currently in the process of printing the last few bits, and then once the frame is assembled, it is time to order the electronics and start getting ready for first fly.


If this works, I will have to post all the photos, software and even the STL files, just in case anyone else wants to build one :)

Anyhow, if I have been a massive idiot, and forgotten anything important, please let me know.... and please be gentle :)

Also..... just wondering if the weight required to create 4 ducts (for ducted fan configuration) is worth it? Is the thrust increase going to be greater than the weight gain?

Hmmm, lots to think about.
 
Last edited:
holtneil

holtneil

Well-Known Member
Moderator
Hi Mate welcome to the forum all looks good on list, I would look at the multistar battery the 5200mah I think is lighter you dont need a high C rate, Dont duct the props as this will hold you to one size, you dont say what prop size your going for your frame if its like the flame wheel may take a 10x4.7 prop the motor will run that with no problem
Dont forget heat shrink and male to male servo leads to connect the receiver to the FCB
Also if you do go for the bigger props your need a bigger ESC 20/30 and your be really safe to up props size
 
PhilW_UK

PhilW_UK

Member
Thank you for your reply and welcome :)

I have been looking at 1145 props... and have already found some 30a ESC.....
The ducting of the props would not fix me to a specific size, I can always just draw up a different size and print some more :)

But if the effect of creating ducted fans is going to be worth the 50 pence worth of plastic, then I may have to try :)
 
holtneil

holtneil

Well-Known Member
Moderator
HI mate yes sorry you can print , go for it ,it may stop vortex at the tip of the blades , I run 14x5.5 props as they are big the tips of the props are tipped up to stop the vortex , I would love to know how well they do ducted keep me posted
 
PhilW_UK

PhilW_UK

Member
Brilliant,

thank you. Please don't think I am boasting about the printer, it is an inheritance....

I was more expecting that people would say it had been tried and it is a Newbie error. If people are genuinely interested, I will post a with and without video. I hope to be able record telemetry, so I could post that as well.... It may lead to a greater understanding. I do need to save£183 for the electronics. Please give me a few weeks to save up. I will post pics of the initial construction.


srl files if anyone wants them.
.
 
holtneil

holtneil

Well-Known Member
Moderator
Hi Phil I think that will be really nice to see a video of how to 3D print , if you take the time to do this I will make it sticky so it stays at the top of the page
 
PhilW_UK

PhilW_UK

Member
Cool, thank you.

I really hope it works. If I also included the sketchup files, people could refine them and really make their own machines. I have some exel files with accurate weights, supplier, part number, cost and anything else I need to remember.

fingers crossed
 
holtneil

holtneil

Well-Known Member
Moderator
Thats even better you can post in the newibe section and I will stick it , just message me to let me know its there
 
PhilW_UK

PhilW_UK

Member
Well, sorry for going quiet, life been a bit busy over the last couple of weeks.
More details for you all. the drone has (currently ) 400mm to prop centres.

I am using 11 inch props.
The final structural components are being draw up. I have been working on the final profiles in order to be able to build strong and light, but still maintain structural stability. I also have been tweaking the shape for maximum aerial stability whilst trying to create shapes that will be as simple as poss to print.

Having said that, I am going to be trying the dissolvable filament in order to print at the highest quality. The print rate is 0.1mm layer thickness and in order to ensure maximum bonding (and reducing chance of delamination) the print speed whilst extruding will be a sedentary 40mm/s

The final design will be concluded once all the electronics arrive; therefore I can print the structure with recesses, pins and holes in order to custom fit all the control, camera and batteries etc. I have a 2-3 week layover to complete the structural components whilst I wait for all the electronics to arrive. The longest lead time is 21 days :(
All ordered from fleabay.... just hope the delivery gods are in my favour :D
 
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