Arducopter Hexa 3DR Frame Now on Pre-Order!

The rugged Arducopter 3DR frame is now available in a Hexa version capable of supporting larger payloads and longer flight times. With the stock 850kV (purple) motors, a basic Hexa with ESCs, APM, GPS and an RC Receiver weighs in at 1356.3g and can lift more than its own weight.

This version supports a fancy new feature allowing easy access to the power distribution board. The entire stackup can be removed with thumb nuts to allow access to the central area between the base plates.

Lifting tests were performed with the following results:

Frame Weight: 1356.3g

Battery Weight (4S 5000mAh): 534.0g

Misc. Payload: 533.7g

All-Up Weight: 2424g

Flight Time in Hover: 12:10

Over 24 minutes endurance is possible in this configuration! (Using Misc Payload for a second battery)

Frame Weight: 1356.3g

Battery Weight (4S 5000mAh): 534.0g

Misc. Payload: 843.7g

All-Up Weight: 2734g

Flight Time in Hover: 10:00

Maximum Take-Off Weight Test Performed at 3190g

Tests with the larger motors are awaiting arrival of stock, expected around the end of February. You can order your kit with either motor set but the 880kV versions won't ship until February 29th. 850kV orders and orders without motors will ship next Friday, February 24th.

NEW TEST with the 880kV motors: (hovering in gusty winds)

Frame Weight: 1508g

Battery (4S 5000 mAh): 531.2g

Payload: 986.3g

Flight time: 10:17

All-Up Weight: 3025g

-- only about 140g extra payload for the same duration flight but conditions were considerably more turbulent for the 880kV test flight

Frame Kit: $199.99

Frame + Motors: $419.99

Frame + Motors + Electronics: $649.99

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Comments

Jeff Taylor February 24, 2012 at 1:09pm

DXFs are here:

https://github.com/3drobotics/3D-Robotics-Products/tree/master/3D%2...
jordan stocker February 23, 2012 at 11:05pm

i am looking for the dimensions of the parts used in this copter so i can make a 3D model
Jeff Taylor February 23, 2012 at 10:54pm

Yes APM 2.0 will be an option as soon as they are back in stock.

What schematic are you looking for Jordan?
jordan stocker February 23, 2012 at 10:39pm

can someone please draw up some schematics
Matt Baker February 22, 2012 at 4:47pm

Nice looking setup. Will the kit be updated for APM 2.0 once they become more readily available?
Jeff Taylor February 21, 2012 at 3:04pm

Yes you can definitely replace them with any motors. The mounting holes are 0.63" or 16mm apart which fits most motors in this power class. The arms are just aluminum so you can drill them out with a handheld drill as well if you need to change the holes.
Anish February 21, 2012 at 2:39pm

@jeff would be keen to know if one could replace the motors with slightly more powerful motors :) app 350 w ( something like mk3638 or similiar)
Cliff-E February 21, 2012 at 12:17pm

Good to hear that the PIDs are default (read: replacement frame!).

I noticed with my hacked up frame I'm hitting a wall: when roll_D > 0 I get twitches in hover, normal and close to default otherwise. Could be the ESCs, but I like them so far (been rock solid).
Jeff Taylor February 21, 2012 at 11:57am

@Cliff, my PID settings were all the defaults that get loaded when you flash the Hexa code.
Jeff Taylor February 21, 2012 at 11:24am

Yes, check on the weight of the DSLR and the gimbal first and compare against the flight tests in the original post. I would recomment 11x47 APC props and 880kV motors for that, we'll have data on those motors with this frame sometime next week if you want to wait and see first.

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