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Permalink Reply by TJ on February 26, 2012 at 8:06am

 I haven't tried it YET. But its the thought I'm running with. (found small air frame quads constructed like this)

I'm planning on using copper clad PCB for the entire airframe. Obviously etching off the copper to save weight, leaving it where I can use the conductor traces. PCB can be gotten in varying thicknesses for the appropriate application. the core of PCB material is just fiberglass. not quite as light or strong as the carbon, but still not bad.

Also, consider that carbon fiber blocks RF signals very effectively. This is the main reason have decided to not use it.

You mentioned lexon... is this the same as lexan (similar to plexi-glass)? if so, I certainly wouldn't use that for anything structural. It makes great protectors for boards where you want to see them, but structurally it tends to crack quite easily. I would say weight : strength is lower than fiberglass also

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Permalink Reply by Marc on February 26, 2012 at 8:16am

hey tj,

Thanks for the response i agree weight is a big issue am looking at abs plastic as well i had a hexacopter which i built with 2mm carbon fiber worked lovely on the kk board but when i use the ardupilot board it didnt like it to much flex in the airframe.

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Permalink Reply by Marc on February 26, 2012 at 8:17am

you pcd board is a excellent thought i think its called tufnel? if thats the case i can source that....

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Permalink Reply by Marc on February 26, 2012 at 8:19am

have a look here : http://www.macgregor.co.uk/macgregor/tufnol.htm

 

 

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Permalink Reply by Marc on February 26, 2012 at 8:29am

Tj,

Sorry its not tufnol its called fr4 thanks for the advice will do a bit of homework :)

 

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Permalink Reply by TJ on February 26, 2012 at 8:42am

Marc,

Right, FR-4. I haven't started building yet. I'm ordering my first batch of parts in a week. I'll stay subscribed here for yours and others thoughts as well. I'm wanting to reduce the wiring and integrate it into the airframe for weight as well as appearances. I'm also planning on some extensive airframe lighting so this really helps me establish my goal without more wires.

I'v asked an ebay seller to provide me with some samples of different thickness in double single side pcb. Hopefully they will respond and I'll have a better idea what material is best for the different parts of the frame.

I see two ways to bond these pieces together. Soldering in key places will provide a fairly good bond, and also, fiberglass resin with some reinforcement woven cloth material.

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Permalink Reply by Marc on February 26, 2012 at 1:09pm

jason,

 

i intergrates all my wiriing and escs in the body made a clean airframe have a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spZK03Jb2x4

 

regards

 

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Permalink Reply by Marc on February 26, 2012 at 11:32am

Ok jason,

 

nice one will try out as well its just trying to find what thickness is going to be strong enough, my arms and standoffs

arrive tomorrow i have a friend in the electronic buisness so i should be able to get hold of some sheets in varying thickness size of mine will be about 1200mm from motor across to other motor.

i keep posting here on my progress...

regards

 

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Permalink Reply by Marc on March 4, 2012 at 2:30am

Jason,

Found a source for g10 in the uk have a look here: http://www.presspahn.com

 

regards

 

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