3D Printed Multirotor Aircraft

Discussion in 'My Shapeways Order Arrived' started by 125984_deleted, Jan 6, 2012.

  1. Over the holidays, I received my prototype fully 3D printed Multirotor Aircraft Frame.

    Every thing was printed on Shapeways, except for the mounting hardware and electronics, of course. kodak 12-2011 178.jpg kodak 12-2011 218.jpg kodak 12-2011 215.jpg kodak 12-2011 198.jpg kodak 12-2011 301.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2012
  2. 46486_deleted
    46486_deleted Member
    Cool, looks good.
    What is that board, something like an Arduino using an accelerometer?
    Thanks,
    Tom.
     
  3. It's a ArduPilotMega (APM), for the Arducopter. The blue board you see is the IMU board sitting on top of the APM that under it. It's got accelerometers, gyros, gps, and magnetometer.
    If youre interested, check out diydrones.com

    I have a blog there, if you want more information:
    http://diydrones.ning.com/profiles/blogs/introducing-firefly -mark-one-first-3d-designed-and-printable-quad?commentId=705 844%3AComment%3A750963&xg_source=msg_com_blogpost

    I plan to make the frame available for sale soon, in this shop.

    Cheers!
     
  4. 46486_deleted
    46486_deleted Member
    Hi, thanks for that, looks like a good bit of kit.
    I've bookmarked the site, looks good.
    Thanks,
    Tom.
     
  5. Thanks! I'll post an update and PM, when I'm ready to put it on sale. Should come in just under $100 for the kit. All that's needed to complete the kit is some mounting hardware and the electronics.
     
  6. 48766_deleted
    48766_deleted Member
    this is what I've always dreamed to have :) I'd really like to see it flying. By the way, do you have any estimates as to how much the motors and electronics would cost?
     
  7. My motors are in the mail, so hope to be flying in a couple of weeks. Flight video to be added, once I get it going.

    Check out my blog on DiYDrones for a detail list of electronics.

    http://diydrones.ning.com/profiles/blogs/introducing-firefly -mark-one-first-3d-designed-and-printable-quad?commentId=705 844%3AComment%3A750963&xg_source=msg_com_blogpost

    The 4 motors and speed controllers should cost about $50. Depending on what flight control board you use, it could range from $60 to $200. DiYDrones store has a new board now that is $199, and has everything you need for autopiloting the craft here:

    https://store.diydrones.com/APM_2_0_Kit_p/br-ardupilotmega-0 3.htm

    Or you can get a very basic one, with gyros only:

    http://www.kkmulticopter.kr/index.html?modea=vieweng&mc_ selected=MultiCopter&sc_selected=KKMulticopter&sn=fl ycam_blue&id_no=93

     
  8. 48766_deleted
    48766_deleted Member
    Last edited: Jan 9, 2012
  9. These are two different class of quads. The Parrot is very user friendly, but not an open system that can be reprogrammed. Good for indoor flying in close proximity to the phone. The phone is actually a limitation.

    The Arducopter controller I recommended has onboard accelerometer, and gyros for stabilization, with built in electronic compass for heading lock. It's got GPS for defining autonomous mission waypoints, and barometer for high altitude hold. Two different class of quadcopter really. The firmware is open sourced, so you can tinker, if so inclined.

    You can also go the low end route and get the KKmulti board, for $100 (or cheaper) and just have gyros.

    From a frame point of view, I can add all the mount points for the Parrot Drone parts, and mount them on my frame, once the foam falls apart. :laughing:

    That's the beauty of using 3D printers!
     
  10. 48766_deleted
    48766_deleted Member
    wow.. now it sounds much cooler to me!! :rolleyes: