3D printed tricopter - from CAD to reality! - Blogs

Hi,

I'm Adrian from Hungary/Europe. Let me introduce my tricopter project.

My goal was to make something really good-looking copter that have ally features I need.The design process started 1 years ago. My first idea was to make a composite chasis, from glass/carbon fiber.I designed the copter in a 3D modelling software, and also designed the necessary moulds for making each parts, here is the initial design:

This is a sample of the mould design:

I also made some FEM calculations, to check the stress dispersion:

Unfortunatelly, this type of production would cost too much for me. I tried to find partners in Hungary, without success. So I almost forgot this project. But some months before I read a lot about 3D printing, and finally I found a great partner in Hungary (many thanks to the Ground Zero Team www.groundzero.hu !!!). So I started to redesign my copter according to the requirements of 3D printing:

Then I sent the .stl files for FDM printing. Here is the result:

This is my current configuration:

Turnigy SK3-2826-1130 motors
8x4,5 karbon SF props
10A HK ESC (simonK firmware)
ArduFlyer 2.5 with ArduCopter 3.0.1 code
ULOX NEO6-M GPS
2000mA 3S lipo (2 db 1000mA 3S2P)
Flytron 25A ultralight current sensor
MKS-DS95 servo
RECOM 5V 1A power supply for electronics
3DR 868 MHz telemetry module
RCTimer OLED screen
Immersion 600mW 5.8 video TX + Coverleaf antenna
MinimOSD, with KVTeam code
KPC-E700PUB camera
FRSKY Futaba FASST-compatible receiver, PPM
controlled LED-s and buzzer

All-up weight is 782g, and has 8 minutes of safe flight time with 20-25% of remaining battery.

(Please note that I used Crius AIO Pro at first with MWI code and KV-OSD code. These can be found on the following pictures and in the videos.)

LED sripes are controlled by APM:

Here are some videos:

Flight test (with Multiwii)

Onboard video (with Multiwii + KV-OSD)

For more details please connect me by mail: nhadrian@gmail.com

- UPDATE -

stl files can be downloaded from here:

http://shpws.me/oGJN
http://shpws.me/oGKc
http://shpws.me/oGKd
http://shpws.me/oGKg
http://shpws.me/oGK7

And these are the additional metal parts for rear arm control:

I wish you all good luck on reproducing my tri.

Please note that I'll not modify desing according to personal wishes, since my spare time is quite limited and I focus on my personal projects. Thanks for understanding!!!

Best Regards

Adrian

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Comments

Adrián Nagy Hinst September 9, 2013 at 11:45am

if anybody have three axi 2212/26 motors around just contact me... ;)
Szabó József September 9, 2013 at 10:47am

Gratulálok, nagyon jól néz ki.
Adrián Nagy Hinst September 9, 2013 at 10:12am

Anyway, the thrust is enough but flight time could be improved.
Adrián Nagy Hinst September 9, 2013 at 10:11am

Hi, yes, my best choice would be AXI 2212/26 motors with 10x4,5 props.

But AXI motors are to expensive for me. :(

Here is the result in ECalc:
Alejandro Martin Pirola September 9, 2013 at 9:45am

Nice work!
I guess the thrust/weight is not the best. Motors and props + 3s lipo are small. Try 10x4.5 props, or bigger motors with 13x6.5.
Hubert September 9, 2013 at 9:06am

Very impressed by the quality of your contribution. Congratulations and thank you!
Rob_Lefebvre September 9, 2013 at 8:46am

Very nice design!
Adrián Nagy Hinst September 9, 2013 at 8:07am

Files can be downloaded from shapeways.

Maybe you should register. But it's free.

The Download button is in the left bottom corner:
Earl September 9, 2013 at 7:59am

I haven't given up. BTW how to download the STL files from Shapeways ? Or do we get them from you? I do also have the Replicator II that is higher accuracy. I think I will try if I can get the files.

Thanks very much...great work.

Earl
Muhammad Al-Rawi September 9, 2013 at 6:09am

That is one extremely slick tricopter, Adrián.

It's a work of art!

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