We are working in several airplanes adapting them to take ortophotography like professionals, we have already tested and working fine the first prototype based on EasyGlider by multiplex. This is a very good plane that forgives to bad pilots with a big problem it has few space but enough to carry a good battery and the necessary electronics.
For adapt of this plane we have to make the next modifications:
Airframe:
- Opening in the airframe a hole just behind of the trailing edge of the wing, to accommodate the camera. Modify the camera trigger to can trigger the camera with a cable. (Fuji XP30). In the beginning we use the Canon IXUS 100IS but it give us some problems with the retractable lens because it clog with the dust in the landings.
- Reinforcement of the airframe through a carbon rod in the up and down part of the airframe, to compensate for the weakness created by the hole of the camera.
- Opening of a little hole to ballast the tail if it'll necessary set the GC, this hole is protected with a carbon tube for can insert and take out small bullets of lead easily.
- Opening of a hole for the Mediatek GPS, just behind of the cabin. And open accommodation for the GPS cable on the border of the cabin. We have to do this because the integrated GPS on APM2 is covered by power wires and connectors.
- Reduce the servo hole, cutting and pasting the arms of the semi-airframes.
- Adjust the hole removing 2 mm side by side and make anchorage for APM2 with four nylon screws.
- Shape two blocks of EPP that hold the battery on the right place, this prevent that the battery move to electronics in a crash breaking all components.
- Cover the downside of the airframe with fiberglass tape, to reduce the stress of the elapor and increase the life time of the airframe.
- Adaptation of the canopy, cut the wall inside of the canopy for allow close it when all electronics are inside it.
- Cover the xbee with heat shrink tube, to protect it and prevent that the xbee won't come off of its base.
- Put two net piece in the air inputs of the motor, with the purpose of the prevent that the grit can access to the motor and break it, when the plane landing.
- Replace the original connector (Futaba or JR) for others with more pins that allow connect the two ailerons and the air speed sensor, we are use now this:
Wings:
- Change the side of the aileron servos to up side, to prevent that the servos could be damaged with stones or shrubs, breaking the gears.
- Reinforcement of the leading edge with fiberglass tape.
- Structural reinforcement of the wing on its more fragile line just where finish the fiberglass tube. Through insertion of two platens of carbon fiber one near of the wing leading edge and other near of the wing tailing edge.
- Instalación of airspeed sensor
- Reinforcement of the horizontal stabilizer with a carbon rod.
Electronics:
Motor: Cobra 2814/20 850KV.
Batteries: 2S 5000 Turnigy Hardcase o 3S 2.200 Turnigy.
ESC with BEC: SWIFT 50A and 2A bec.
Servos Turnigy TGY-375DMG.
Spiner Cularis Multiplex.
Folding propeller 11-6 (for 3S) and folding propeller 13-8 (for 2S).
Ardupilot APM2 with GPS cancelled.
MediaTek MT3329 GPS 10Hz + Adapter Basic (https://store.diydrones.com/MediaTek_MT3329_GPS_10Hz_Adapter_Basic_p/mt3329-02.htm) .
Rx Graupner GR-24 with HOTT
Tx Graupner MX20
Airspeed Kit with MPXV7002DP (https://store.diydrones.com/Kit_MPXV7002DP_p/kt-mpxv7002dp-01.htm)
ServoSwitch V10 to tigger the camera (https://store.diydrones.com/ServoSwitch_V10_p/br-0007-01.htm)
Attopilot 45A current sensor
These are the modifications and adaptations that we have learned after crashing a few planes (Crast test), we look forward to the community of users to give us your comments. Our main doubts about this model are:
The way to cancelled the GPS on the daughter board of APM2, we are cut the path nºx of the GPS.
- Tuning the PID, that black box that a few people know.
- Synchronization of the clocks of the GPS and camera. For we can georeferencing photos.
So far we have prepared other models being the Easyglider the most evolved, Maja (Bormatec), Minimag (Multiplex) y Ursus (Marek), now we are working on Mentor (multiplex) for carry medium payloads (camera sony nex3).
Sorry, but the system didn't allow us upload more photos, and excuse me if my english is bad.
And thanks to all community and developers by make possible my project.
Comments
I'm sorry but the parameters that I have are old, aren't valid to new L1 navigation or TECS. I think I lost that files but if you continue interest I can look for it.
Daniel,
can you share your params for Arduplane? I am having some troubles with setup, I am runing it on 900kv motors 10x6 folding prop at 2200mah 3s.
I know of your great plane, but I prefer build my own plane, for I could adapt it to any use and payload. Also I'm not a great pilot and the elapor is fantastic for crash.
This plane can fly good with 25-30km/h wind speed.
Just great!
Following!
You can try the Aeromapper UAV platform, that's a pro platform. Fully carbon fiber (fiberglass on the Payload Bay Module). Foam planes are not durable and move too much up there if there's windy.
It has lots of room.
@Mike,
Will the CHDK work with a Canon PowerShot SD300 Camera?
Thats what I have and I would like a feature like that.
With a 2200mA 3s battery 20min safely and, I have set the air speed cruise to 30 km/h but the model can fly more fast a good speed when I fly in manual is about 50 km/h. With 2s battery I'm not tested the endurance yet but I think about 30-40 min safely.
What's the time of flight, and speed?
Regards
That sound nice, I didn't know that SHDK allowed lens retract. I'll try this with my next airframe because the present hole is for a fuji XP30, but I like more the canon cameras. SHDK is only for canon cameras, isn't it?
Daniel, you dont need a trigger if you use CHDK - you just put a script on the SD card. Dust is not a problem as you can set the lens to retract before you land.