Hey Gang
I have been into fixed wing RC for around four decades. Now, I have been bit by the Multi-Rotor scene.
Being of the generation that built everything from scratch, or at least from a sizable pile of wood parts. I have worked with many different materials, wood, composite, aluminum, etc.. I build large scale fixed wing aircraft and really dig 5 to 7 meter, scale sailplanes. I am using some off the shelf parts for the quad, but I will machine the motor mounts and component trays from aluminum plate. I also like to utilize existing materials, re purpose, if ya will.
The quad frame (approx. 550 class), is made from carbon fiber golf club shafts. I get the shafts cheap at the local landfill, yes landfill. They cull usable stuff (dumpster dive) and resell the spoils. four carbon shafts, $4.00 and they always have a large supply. Additionally, to keep costs down, I am using HobbyKing products: Multistar Elite 2216 (920KV) motors, Multistar 30A slim V2 ESC's with BLHeli OPTO and a MultiWii/Megapirate AIO with FTDI, controller.
Unfortunately, I later found out that the MegaPirate is not the best choice, I want the quad to hold a fairly steady position for some aerial work. So, I need another controller. I have been given a FreeScale FRDM-K64F "Freedom Platform" (link below), it is a pretty decent development board processor, that uses MBED. I get it for FREE, as long as I use it for a project that can be displayed at SXSW in March 2016.
http://tinyurl.com/plbgst3
I am wondering if anyone has had any experience with this unit. The board has the pin-outs for an Arduino R3 based "shield", does anyone have any experience/recommendations for a shield. There are enough pin-outs for basic ops, but I may want more later, thus a shield, right?
I will also need MBED compatible software and was wondering what folks recommend. I have found a couple of examples using other processors like the RasPi, but, for now I was thinking of trying this FreeScale unit.
Peace, Wolf
Replies
I think you will be quicker just buying a clone or real APM. Lots of work ahead of you using that.
Thanks Gary
You are the first person to actually respond to my query, I have posted on RCU and RCG's and nothing. The RCG's post got 82 views at last check, not one reply. Crickets. It is funny how RCU leans more toward fixed wing folks, that are very knowledgeable and helpful. I like to hangout there as well as contribute where I can. RCG's seems to have more rotor activity and knowledge, but not very helpful.
The more I look into this FreeScale unit, the more I want to use it. The road less traveled. I find many people give up way too easy and don't put in the ground work. There are folks out there already playing with MBED, I just want to find someone willing to collaborate. FreeScale has some peripherals and open source software that I will have to poke at.
Like I said before, I like building, it is an educational as well as gratifying thing. I am building a 3 axis CNC Spindle table and Hot-wire cutting rig, on one table. It will have X = 48", Y = 28", Z = 10" working area. I have invested almost $2,000.00 and many tens of hours machining and welding and still have more hours to go. I do this because, I can't touch the machines (no one offers a two in one machine) with the same capability for less than $15,000.00, and that doesn't include any software. I already have Profili and Aspire.
Once I have my machine built, it will open many doors. I will be able to rapidly prototype large scale designs: mold making, parts production, maybe even produce wood kits. I already cut custom foam cores for folks but do it the old fashion way. With the CNC rig, I will be able to increase production and capability.
Lotsa stuff on one plate, eh? And, that is just the "Front Burner".
Peace, Wolf
They have a Gyro Shield for the board. As for Bar, I believe the Mag and Accelerometers will take care of that.