Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Johann Van Niekerk on December 29, 2010 at 5:06pm

Hi Paul I just started a discussion about a custom RQ-11 for APM and is looking at different materials form the wing and other aspects of this project replica , would you say for our purpose Kevlar is really needed or maybe just carbon fibre or reinforced foam with fibre coating?

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Permalink Reply by Paul on December 29, 2010 at 5:32pm

Johann,

 

From my experience, I would recommend a carbon/Kevlar fiber blend.  Kevlar is not stiff, but will bend and provide excellent impact strength (this is why bullet-proof vests are made from Kevlar), while carbon is very stiff and works well for adding rigidity to the structure.  Ideally a monocoque structure is how a fuselage and wing should be built, but a foam core wing will suffice.

 

I have built my RQ-11 replica from these materials and as I have mentioned in previous posts, the material is the driving cost factor.  It (carbon/kevlar) is the best thing for the application, but there needs to be a willingness to pay for something better than balsa and film.

 

I have already completed the analysis, testing, and manufacturing of my replica, but I would be willing to re-tool the fuselage to meet the needs of you, and others, based on your inputs and requirements for the APM.

 

Regards,

Paul

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Permalink Reply by Johann Van Niekerk on December 29, 2010 at 11:49pm

Hi Paul I don't know of you looked here http://www.diydrones.com/forum/topics/rq11-redesign-for-apm at my page what I want to do but reading thru this thread I can see what your plans are and mine are the same with one big difference . See for me I would consider buying a 500$ airframe because I know what testing and planning went into it and will be worth it BUT as far as I can see for average Joe here on DIYdrones the price range of 70-200 $ is more the target and that said is to keep the total price under a 1000$ for a UAV . So my question to you is firstly can you post some pic's? I'm very intrested . Secondly what is your point of view on designing ,analyzing,molding a standard design for APM and then send it for hot mold injection with ABS plastic or carbon vacuum sealed foam frame to keep your design but turn down the cost . And then you will get a lot sold Simply because on the price range hobby shops becomes your clients as well

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Permalink Reply by Paul on December 31, 2010 at 6:36pm

Johann,

 

Thanks for the reply.  I will post some pics at the end of the weekend, after the holiday.  I would love to sell several of these and make them as cheap as possible, so needless to say I am interested in your ideas.  More later...

 

Regards,

Paul

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Permalink Reply by Mark on January 7, 2011 at 7:19am

Paul, I just joined diydrones forum and have been looking for something similar to what you are presenting here.  I would be very interested in seeing your design. It sounds like a good fit for those of us who love to fly, but don't have time to do the research and design work necessary to build a higher quality airframe.  While there is no replacement for the cheap models and the benefits that they offer, an airframe like you have described allows for more toys on board and more confidence that you will get those toys back safely.

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Permalink Reply by Paul on January 10, 2011 at 9:45pm

Mark,

Please take a look at the link that I have attached for Johann. We have tried to make the very best design possible for the DIY Drone community, at the very lowest price. The real driver is the material, and we can build a custom material plane if there were an interest say in a full-carbon version. But keep in mind that Carbon fiber these days would more than double the price.

Regards,
Paul

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Permalink Reply by Mark on January 10, 2011 at 10:56pm

Paul,

Thank you,  I appreciate your response. I will take a look at it tonight.

 

Mark

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Permalink Reply by Paul on January 10, 2011 at 9:41pm

Johann,

I have been working with some colleagues of mine, and we have put together a design which is specifically targeted at the DIY Drone community. I will make a formal posting in a few days, but here is a pre-release of the website.

www.XplorerUAV.com

We are formalizing the hi-res photos and will have them available soon. I hope to gain some interest from you and the community. We have done our research, analysis and design based on what the community is requesting, including comments in your post. We have also performed high-end analysis and testing on the airframe to get a vary sound design. We are very experienced and are eager to share our work and our plane with everyone here at DIY Drones.

Regards,
Paul

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Permalink Reply by Mark on January 10, 2011 at 11:40pm

Paul,

 

I just reviewed your site and I am very interested.  Have you considered using FeiyuTech's FY21AP or FY3ZT autopilot? I was considering ordering the system this week for a current FPV/UAV I'm building.  I haven't had enough time to research it to reach a comfort level with it yet. 

Regarding your unit, when do you expect to be able to deliver orders?

 

Mark

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Permalink Reply by Johann Van Niekerk on January 11, 2011 at 1:06am

Hi Paul

Thank you for the link, I unfortunely do not share the same view point as mark and from what I can tell from the pic on the website the only difference I can see is the T tail wich has been desided against by most for RC purposes. Secondly where is the Camera dome for still photography and FPV ? Can we see some pics of the inside in the near future because that was also a big concern for most...

Please understand paul from a manufacturer to manufacturer Im asking the questions that you will be asked when siad that the community ideas where incopurated in the design .

 

I am glad to see that it is taking shape however and if the price is right they will sell ...

Regards Johann

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DeveloperPermalink Reply by Michael Smith on January 11, 2011 at 1:51am

Re: the T-tail, I'm not sure what you mean by "decided against by most for RC purposes".  

Certainly for an airframe that may be subjected to rough-field landings, the T-tail provides a degree of protection to the horizontal stab and elevator servo compared with a regular X tail.

 

For most of us, airframes are an expendable component.  A good design needs to be robust in transportation and handling, it should obviously fly well, and it should crash well, with a particular emphasis on sacrificing the airframe to protect the components.

 

Given how well the sub-$100 airframes perform, to justify a $500 airframe it would need to offer some combination of exceptional performance, greater build convenience and far greater survivability.  That's a fairly tall order.

 

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Permalink Reply by Rupert Kent on January 5, 2011 at 8:39am

Apologies as I might be way out here but has anyone thought of reinforcing "prone" areas of the airframe with 3M fibreglass-weave "bullet" tape...? It's perfect for protecting foam such as wingtips etc, cheap to buy and easy to apply. I have used this stuff successfully on all sorts of models and it applies a lot of protection and a certain element of rigidity for little gain in weight.

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