Posted by Jeff Taylor on August 23, 2011 at 4:32pm
Designed in house by myself and Alan Sanchez, this new quad frame is designed to be rock solid in every way. The frame is constructed of Aluminum and fiberglass. We've made some changes to increase the amount of free space available for electronics and sensors. The legs are moved out to leave a clear field of view from cameras mounted beneath the body. The power distribution board is now sandwiched between the arms but the plugs are still easily accessible from the sides.
The main frame has a hole pattern allowing you to mount APM in any orientation. The holes around the edges will fit the tilt/roll camera mount and the sonar mounting kit. The arms have a cutout in the end to route the cables through so they don't get pinched in a crash.
The added strength doesn't compromise flight time. With a 4900mAh 3S Rhino battery pack which it easily lifted, I timed 17 minutes of hovering out of ground effect in steady winds of 5-8 knots. The video below was taken while carrying a 4900mAh battery.
The legs are also cut of fiberglass and can really take some abuse! This video will give you an idea of their strength.
Overall the quad handles very well and it feels nice and smooth to fly. I haven't modified any of the standard PID values on ACM to make these videos, the same values translate nicely to this quad because of the similar size and weight.
Power distribution board, power cables and signal cables for PDB-APM
All hardware needed to assemble the components above
The kits will start shipping next Thursday, the first of September. We will hold your entire order until that day if you choose to buy one during the preorder.
it should not be a problem. We dont have any of those motors in stock at the moment, but I'm checking for you. The hole pattern shouldn't be different though.
Also, all the pre-order quads shipped today! and you'll be happy to hear we included spare parts in your kits just in case those first flights don't go as planned.
Will the larger motors and 12" props fit or does it need longer arms? What about the larger motors and 10" props? Just trying to utilize the larger motors I already have from ac1.1
The quad can get off the ground with an AOW up to about 2kg (payload + battery = 1.055kg). That said, the endurance probably isn't so hot at that weight. So the short answer is you can lift up to 1.055kg of payload + battery but the endurance will drop off as you add more and more weight.
Steven, we have an optional sonar mount on our store http://store.diydrones.com/Sonar_Mount_p/ac-son-mount.htm that is compatible with the Arducopter 3DR. The sonar isnt necessary for flight, others can guide you more with this subject. As far as telling where the front is, depending on which configuration you are flying (x or +) you can put a sticker or paint the front arm(s). Also what we have found works best is to put a strip of plastic or similar material on the front legs (we fly x mostly) this way when the quad is far away you have something that is moving telling you where the front is. For the vids above Jeff didnt use anything but the wires coming out of the battery to identify the front, but hes crazy like that hahaha.
Comments
Hole patterns are the same. Good to know there is room for the 12" props and thanks for the extra parts :)
it should not be a problem. We dont have any of those motors in stock at the moment, but I'm checking for you. The hole pattern shouldn't be different though.
Also, all the pre-order quads shipped today! and you'll be happy to hear we included spare parts in your kits just in case those first flights don't go as planned.
Will the larger motors and 12" props fit or does it need longer arms? What about the larger motors and 10" props? Just trying to utilize the larger motors I already have from ac1.1
June, it is sold at the DIY Drones store here: http://store.diydrones.com/Arducopter_3DR_partial_kit_p/kt-ac3dr-01...
Where i can make a pre-order?
AOW= all up weight
I just flew it in this configuration:
Frame & electronics weight 945g
battery: 193.75g (2250mAh 3S)
bag of heavy stuff: 455g
total AOW: 1594g
flight time: 5:30
The quad can get off the ground with an AOW up to about 2kg (payload + battery = 1.055kg). That said, the endurance probably isn't so hot at that weight. So the short answer is you can lift up to 1.055kg of payload + battery but the endurance will drop off as you add more and more weight.
What is the payload weight?
-
1
-
2
-
3
-
4
of 4 Next