Jumping Into the deep end

[Ewan Blackburn]

After looking on line at the possibilities available to me to purchase i decided i wouldn't be happy just purchasing a quad copter, so i decided i would build one, from scratch, frame and all.

Below are a few pictures of my quad including the weight.

I intend to make it fully autonomous using the ardupilot and mission planer system with a gopro mounted on a gimbal underneath.

I would like to know your opinions on my design, the components im using and any improvements or future design ideas for this project. It has been highly rewarding building the quad myself and cant wait for it to become a reliable flying platform.

Equipment specs
Frame- Acrylic laser cut custom design, folding carbon rod arms
Flight controller - ArduPilot Mega APM 2.6 + GPS and power module
Battery - Zippy Flightmax 4000mAh 3S1P 40C
ESC - Q Brain 4x 20A all in one
Motors - 4 X AGM MT2216 810KV Brushless Motor
Telemetry - TTL 3DRobotics 3DR Radio Telemetry Kit 433Mhz
Props - 11 x 4.7


The quad folded up and on the scales weighing in at under 1.3kg

The folded quad
unfolded quad rear

Unfolded quad front.

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as i enjoyed making it. any questions please add to the thread and i will answer your questions asap. hopefully this could inspire others in designing their own.

Ewan

 

[Jackson]

Pretty damn cool.

Although I like the look of the built-in GPS base, it looks to be overly beefy. Seems like it will catch a lotta wind maybe causing unwanted turbulence.

 

[Ewan Blackburn]

Thanks

Yeah it doesn't have much luck in wind from what ive noticed but the design does have alot of breathing space for air to shift through it. Any views on the components?

 

[Jackson]

I was talking only about the GPS holder not frame itself. Seems like you chose some very nice components.

 

[Ewan Blackburn]

well thanks again. if it gets some more intrest, i might put the 2d sketches of the frames on here for people to look at. spent some time on that before getting it laser cut (measure twice and cut once!)

 

[Jackson]

i might put the 2d sketches of the frames on here for people to look at.

Please do so.