Now that people are using more and more Sonars on their ArduCopters we have seen a lot of different reports on behavior of sonars when they are close to main electronics. Also there has been mounts made from plastic spoons and knives.. We decided to make a bit more elegant mount for it.

Mount can be mounted on which ever arm and it can hold both LV and XL Maxbotix Sonars. It is made from PolyCarbonate so it dampens vibrations automatically.

It needs minor finetuning and after that it will be put on store. All earlier mounts still stay on store as they work great too, this is for users who want/need to move sonars out from main frame.

Same mount from bottom view.

Mount places Sonar as far as possible from the main electronics and also motors/propellers and this way provides best most silent area for it to work.

This mount can be used on Tris, Quads, Hexas.

Will the final mount look like this... We shall see :)

China has awoken so have we!

In last 3-4 weeks there has been a lot of changes on how ArduCopter factories are working and how we as a creators are organized. First we moved out working under FahPah and we are now fully standing on our own as jDrones. 

Our new office / storage area are now fully working on its new location starting from Monday 21st. And we are really happy about this change. If you are visiting in Bangkok, please let us know and you are welcome to visit on our office.

Even tho there has been a lot of changes and we have been moving our storage, we been able to ship out kits and other parts with rather steady stream.

China had 3 week Chinese New Year holiday and that caused delays for bigger shipments, now it is over and first shipments are starting to arrive. Ok it will take some weeks until all queues of our suppliers are fully cleared but they will be.

New distributors are also demanding a lot, to full fill these orders will also affect on jDrones stock levels for awhile but eventually we are in position that kits are always in stock. Now there are uDrones, Robonor, BYOD and naturally DIY Drones who are selling kits.

How things are looking in future:

We all in ArduCopter group have been working hard to make this project better and better. There are new frames coming out shortly like Tri and Hexa frames that are following traditional ArduCopter design. Sonar mounts are out already and 3-4 different type camera systems will be available too.

Just like other our partners we have created fully assembled quad kits. These assembled kits are great for customers that are busy or not sure if they have right tools or skills to assemble their own quads. Good thing on these kits is that you can be sure that all electronics works and has been build properly. Only thing you need to add on these kits is your own radio, receiver and battery. They are already tested for you and test flown before shipped out from our premise. User just need to connect receiver, do calibration for them and they are ready to fly again on your home area.

After other frames are ready to ship out, we will start provide them too as ready assembled kits. We also have been looking to take this one step further but we will tell about that after time is ready. But first we will do some packing and shipping to full fill our users growing demand.

As we are part of DIY Drones internal network, we just started to carry more of their electronics on our site and more will come.

More parts for DIYers ...

For private users and DIYers we now carry all our parts that can be used to build your own drones or what ever. This parts includes various nylon screws/nuts/washers, hexagonal spacers, polycarbonate screws and nuts also specially designed cable sets are available.

Best way to find these are by looking under "Parts & Pieces" category. More will be added and if you might have some special needs, please drop a note to us and we can look what can be done for you and whole community.

There will be more general R/C parts too visible in stores shortly like servos, rc-switches, battery alarms, cables and so on.

Have fun and safe flying,

Jani

When we started to make DIY Drones ArduCopter frames and parts we could not foresee the surprisingly strong market demand that existed for this product and the very positive response of the DIY community.  Almost from the beginning, we have had a difficult time keeping up with the ever-larger orders and responding to the many requests for parts, technical information, etc.

We are pleased to announce that we are now taking steps to improve the situation.

We were originally operating within the structure of an existing Thai company, Fah Pah Electronics. This allowed us to “hit the ground running” and worked well enough for a while.  Now, however, it is clear that DIY Drones ArduCopter project has outgrown its relationship with Fah Pah and will be doing business on its own.

Specifically, we have established a new company in Thailand, jDrones, which will be working solely on DIY Drones and UAV-related technologies and products.

We are confident that this structural change will enable us to work more effectively and efficiently and give our customers even greater quality and higher service levels. 

The establishment of jDrones is being “fast-tracked” and so should be ready for business in the next 5 days. We are sorry for any inconvenience that this may cause you and kindly ask for your patience.  In the end, we know that jDrones will be able to bring you affordable, reliable drones and UAV's based on the very latest technology.

Looking forward to working with you soon.
-Jani
 

ArduCopter Beta 2 release

After a long wait we are delighted to finally release our second official firmware for ArduCopter. This code is our intermediate code (code name NG) that is a step towards reconciling with the full ArduPilot Mega framework. The next version (codename ArduCopter Mega, ACM) will be fully compatible. As always, be careful when testing fully new software.

Our development group has been flying this software on many ArduCopters without any problems but still it does not mean that is won't have any bugs, there might be one just behind the corner. Tho we have been trying to nail them all down.

Thank you for whole ArduCopter/ArduPilot Mega teams for this great release.

Always check our latest release notes and test instructions from ArduCopter Wiki pages.

Main new features:

• New architecture. This puts us on the path of integrating fully with the main ArduPilot Mega code, which brings compatibility with all the UAS tools (ground stations, mission planners, datalog analysis, and a full two-way flight command language) that are already in place with the fixed-wing UAVs. As a result of this back-end code migration, you should see full UAV features come to ArduCopter more quickly going forward and rotary-wing development keep pace with the fixed wing versions.

• CLI (Command Line Interface) for easy and quick configuration: The ArduCopter Configurator still works fine but some of tests have been moved only to CLI. The CLI allows people with Macs and Linux to set up ArduCopter without having to run the Windows-only Configurator.

• GPS position hold: This has been tested with MediaTEK GPS that comes along with ArduCopter kits. Expected hold will be around 3-5 meters from activation location. ArduCopter can still be manually flown with position hold on, but it will return to the hold position when you release the sticks.

• Magnetometer support: The DIY Drones magnetometer is now in stock and fully supported.

• Altitude hold: This barometer assisted altitude hold works while user has activated GPS position hold. It is possible to alter altitude even when position hold is on with throttle.

• Easy X and + configuration: You can choose between either X or + flight modes by simply moving a DIP switch. (Note that the APM/IMU must be mounted in the + position, regardless of which mode you're flying in. This may change in future versions of the code, but for now it simplifies installation for most users.)

• Helicopter code: preliminary and flyable code for more traditional helicopters. Code has been tested around world with some Trex450 style copters.

• ESC calibrations for official ArduCopter ESC's

Here's a video of GPS position and altitude hold working:

Quick install notes:

--Download the code and unzip the ArduCopter RC2 folder to your desktop. It will include two folders: "ArduCopterNG" and "libraries"

- Move the libraries folder into your regular Arduino sketchfile folder, replacing the libraries that are already there. Delete all the old libraries folder and copy this one in instead.

- Open the ArduCopterNG.pde file in Arduino and check that the #defines in that file and ArduUser.h meet your requirements. Typically the only one you will need to check are magnetometer orientation (if you're using a magnetometer):

#define MAGORIENTATION  AP_COMPASS_COMPONENTS_UP_PINS_FORWARD       // This is default solution for ArduCopter
//#define MAGORIENTATION  AP_COMPASS_COMPONENTS_UP_PINS_BACK        // Alternative orientation for ArduCopter
//#define MAGORIENTATION  AP_COMPASS_COMPONENTS_DOWN_PINS_FORWARD    // If you have soldered Magneto to IMU shield as shown on the wiki

- Upload software to your ArduCopter electronics

- Run the CLI by changing position of SW2 switch and reboot your APM--towards the servo rails is CLI mode; towards the GPS connector is flight mode. Open the Arduino serial monitor, setting baud rate to 115200 baud and ensuring that "Carriage Returns" are enabled. You should see a command line on the monitor. CLI instructions are here.

- Run and all necessary settings like factory reset and IMU level calibrations along others your might need.

- Make normal flight preparation tests before connecting your propellers

- Fly safe....

Installation and latest information, please do check our ArduCopter and ArduPilot Mega wiki sites for more information.

ArduCopter NG, NG specific details and test procedures

ArduCopter Wiki, for all quad and heli based information and updates

ArduCopter Heli, especially for ArduCopter heli modifications. It is flyable and needs more beta testers.

ArduPilot Mega Wiki, for general electronics related information and also fixedwings

Last but not least, the release code: ArduCopter RC2

Because we were in hurry to get production up and running so people can start flying their ArduCopters as soon as possible, we created temporary walls around CNC machines to keep voice down.

Picture: CNC cuting room where all small parts are made. Even tho there are automated machines, a lot of hand work is done to get them ready

There are now 3 table size heavy duty CNC machines running constantly and doing various parts. Covers are still missing around CNC routers so it's rather noisy room when all three are running at full speed.

Material size that we can use on those is 30 x 60 x 7 cm and they cut even 3 cm stainless steel.

(Mr. PIK examining cut quality on motormounts or something else parts)

Other tools that we do have is milling machine, grinding machines and polishing machines. Plans are to have few more tools to help on some production issues. Like belt saw, air compressor etc.

Picture: Preprocessor software for CNC routers, Mach3

Softwares that we are using on production floor are:

• Mach3 - CNC processing
  
• ArtCAM - CAD/CAM drawing and design
  
• Cut2D - CAD/CAM drawing and design, mainly for importing simple customer drawings
  

Picture: Storage shelfs are starting to get populated (filling up more every day)

Picture: Closeup for motors and other parts for ArduCopters

Picture: Packing are is used to unpack nuts/screws and propeller shipment that arrived today (16th of Nov)

Picture: People always says that it's hard to find CW & CCW propellers, not anymore.. We have them now and more will come :)

Video: Last but not least... Quick video tour to production floor. (Watchout, loud noises)

Many things are still looking their places on this production floor and many issues still needs to be resolved but over all it's looking rather ok.

Late happenings at ArduCopter "Factories"...

Another milestone on releases, few weeks ago we had our first official Alpha software release and now saga continues..

It's been long and fast ride in past 6 months. It all started as a dream to create nice expansion for original ArduPilot electronics. Then Jordi and others created new even better and more compact electronics for IMU use, after that people started to create more and more their of flying devices. So finally we decided to take it to next level. Level of ArduCopter and it's full line of electronics, frames and other R/C equipment.

We on development group owe a bit thanks to the whole DIY Drones community and people who are playing key roles on it. Now we already have nice and rather well working ArduCopter software written for the latest hardware and well working fixedwing software so things are looking good on our users perspective. Sure there are still many things to develop, and new development happens every single day, maybe some of our users won't always see it but there are a lot of things done behind the scenes.

In totally on ArduCopter project it self we have around 20 people working with it, some as occasional commiters, some of us are more or less working as full time and some even all day around 7 days per week... Why, well we just like it a lot and we want to provide these good experiences to our users.

I should not need to tell that what we are trying to do here but let's say it anyways. Thing what we try to accomplish with ArduCopter and ArduPilots projects in generally is to create low cost and easy to use UAV platforms that can be extended easily to higher levels. We try to keep designs as simple as possible so people even with low mechanical skills would be comfortable to build them and enjoy of flying.

Naturally our platforms is not for everyone but at least we try to make it suitable for as many as possible. And you can be part of that process. So if you have any ideas just let us know. We are constantly looking new ideas and ways to do things.

ArduCopter KITs

Long waited time has come. We have been using hundreds of people to find all suitable parts and part providers for us, thousands of emails has been sent back and forth and now finally ArduCopter v1.0 release is at hand.

Also long waited prices for KIT's are here too. Our original goal was to create a multirotor platform with less than $1,000.00 USD, and yes Sir, we did it. Actually we did it way under of our first price goals. So here they finally are:

ArduCopter Quad v1.0 Full KIT price will be $499 USD
- ArduPilot Mega
- ArduPilot Mega IMU / OilPan
- MediaTek GPS
- Needed connectors for GPS and APM
- Motors (850kv), ESCs (20Amp), 10x45 Propellers
- Full Frame kit

You only need to add Radio/Receiver and battery to make it complete.


ArduCopter Quad v1.0 Frame KIT, $290 USD
- Full Frame kit
- Motors (850Kv), ESCs (20Amp), 10x45 Propellers

ArduCopter Quad v1.0 Frame itself $160 USD
- Just all frame parts

All frame KIT's have Fixed delivery price of $55 USD and it works most of countries. But due some countries can have high delivery costs, we will cover extras costs as long as they stay under 25%, if it goes more than that we might need to charge small extra for delivery. We are constantly looking better and more economic methods for deliveries.

Hexa and other frames will be available later after basic production is running properly on Quad frames. There also is going to be full range of extra accessories and spareparts for all frames.

Frame itself contains parts like in earlier Beta frame had plus some extras and upgraded parts based on our beta tester comments and proposals. Main changes are in Arches, Power PCB, MotorMount, New choices for arms, landing gear fins, spareparts and also some extra connectors are included on this new frame kit.


Originally we planned to have pre-orders and Asian/European orders under PhiFUN but due legal issues and taxation, we moved it to more official company to ensure that everything is done legally. So we are using Fah Pah Electronics new site that I have been building last week for all our deliveries. All PhiFUN operations has been moved under Fah Pah. (My working table is still on same place and full of tiny AC parts as always hahah).


After normal deliveries has started, ArduCopter KIT's and parts can be found from following shops:

http://store.diydrones.com (for US only)
http://store.jdrones.com (rest of the world)


There will be few local distributors, their names/locations will be announced later (edited to here)

Estimate to start deliveries is now on 1st week of November. Depending on how our Motor and ESC shipment is arriving from factory. We are keeping parts arrival records on our Wiki so check it out.

Now let's fill the world with ArduHappines :)


Cheers,
Jani / The headless ArduCopter man on Youtube ;)

• This is an First Alpha release so there might be some bugs waiting, we just haven't found any yet.
• New orientation system: Always mount your APM/IMU aligned by Front/Rear Arms eg. in + configuration. X mode is switched from software it self and you are not allowed to rotate your APM on frame.
  
• Before switching to X mode, test your settings and Artificial Horizont on + mode. When X mode it activated from software, Artificial Horizon on Configurator shows AH incorrectly (this will be fixed later on Configurator itself)
• On X mode, your original "nose" rotates 45° to CCW eg Front becomes Front/Left
  
• New variables and default settings so RESET your EEPROM by doing Initial Installation procedures
• Unzip file and copy all Libraries from this zip file to your Arduino/Libraries folder and replace them if you had some of the libraries already installed. This Alpha release is designed to work with Libraries included on ZIP file.
• Zip file contains Arducopter_alpha_RC1 folder where all firmware codes are and also libraries folder is there.
  

• Acro / Stable modes, changeable by switch input from radio
• + and x modes, changeable from software code, APM orientation always as +
• Magnetometer support (optional, default is off)
• Finetuned PID controllers on stable mode
• More cleaner code
  
• 200Hz main loop

Center plate with carrier board. Carrier and also power board (not shown) can be rotated with 45° steps on all designs. Power board will have 10 mm spacers and carrier 20 mm.

Square frame with carrier (rotated +45°) and power board.

And last but not least round Quad/Hexa center board. Quad power distribution included. Both carrier and power boards can be mounted either above or below center plates. They also fit on both square Quad plates and round Quad/Hexa plates.