Discussions

Hey guys!

I set out to build my own quadcopter a few months back, and it's finished enough that I've published an Instructable in the Things That Fly Challenge! http://goo.gl/wD0f3K

The copter is made out of 12 different 3D printed parts that mount the motors and electronics to carbon fiber arrow shafts.

To reduce vibration, all of the places where plastic meets carbon are floating on rubber o-rings.

I designed a 3D printed mold to cast my own silicone anti-vibration balls, and I'm using them to isolate the flight controller.

The FC mount is on 3 isolators that are angled such that each one is perpendicular from the other two, like the corner of a cube. This is to isolate vibration in all directions equally.

I decided to use the Q-brain ESC and UBEC because it really cleaned up all of the things that I needed to wire and mount. I thought that it was an even trade for the little bit of weight that it adds.

I tried to combine as many pieces as possible and reduce the parts count and metal hardware involved. For example, the CF arrows fit between the motor mount screw pattern, so the motors don't need a separate mount and bolt directly to the tube clamps.

It flies really well, and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. Plus, I think it looks pretty cool too.

Here's a quick youtube clip from one of the first test flights: https://youtu.be/kLk5KPWx5A4

And the best part is.... You can build your own! All of the 3D printable files and complete instructions are posted on Instructables. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Happy flying!
Jim