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3D Robotics

Laser cut your own ArduCopter replacement parts

Posted by Chris Anderson on February 19, 2011 at 10:00am

3689390184?profile=originalI keep breaking my ArduCopter arches, so rather than order replacements, I just laser cut my own through Ponoko. I've uploaded the design, so you can do it too.  Select 3mm clear acrylic, P1 size. It should cost $8.20 plus shipping for the four arches shown above. Note that these are laser cut, not CNC milled, so they don't have the notch on the side that fits snugly on the arms. But they work fine all the same.

 

Thanks to Sandro Benigno, you can also order a set of five replacement dome rings, as shown here:

3689390236?profile=originalAll the other parts are in the ArduCopter repository, but need to be converted to SVG format to laser cut. If you see something you'd like to make, let me know and I'll convert and upload it to Ponoko. Most can be laser cut as easily as CNC milled, but in some cases you might need to do a little finishing work, like counter-sinking some holes. No biggie...

 

UPDATE:

 

I've added the Main Square:


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And the Legs:

 

3689390286?profile=original

And the carrier board:

3689390197?profile=original

 

 

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Comments

  • Developer
    Jani Hirvinen March 20, 2011 at 10:41am

    We are currently looking a partner that could do CF parts. We already have a good partners that does Laser cut for Acrylic and CNC for Fiberglass. If you need anything special. Contact us at jDrones.

     

    Also we are trying to get one laser cutter that could be used to cut customer designs too.
    jDrones, UAV's and more
    R/C UAV and ArduCopter manufacturer and one stop shop. We make your FPV come true.
  • Simon Arthur March 6, 2011 at 9:23am
    At the risk of being too self-promotional, Big Blue Saw also offers Acetal  (Delrin), polycarbonate, and aluminum.
  • 3D Robotics
    Chris Anderson March 6, 2011 at 8:14am
    Alex, yes, you could use ply. But it will break in a crash and it's kind of a hassle to take everything apart to replace it. Better to use a stronger or more flexible material. Ponoko offers Delrin, which is more flexible than Acrlin and seems to be pretty unbreakable. It's more expensive, but worth trying.
  • Moderator
    Alex March 6, 2011 at 7:25am
    Would plywood work for the main square replacement parts? I dont mind so much if they break in a bad crash, just would like to buy them from ponoko as its fast and cheap to get replacement parts in a hurry
  • Developer
    Jani Hirvinen March 6, 2011 at 6:55am

    No, you need to use fiberglass or your quad might break in air. We are starting to make these all parts with laser cut. Parts will start to flow in 1 week or so.

     

    Also you should not make Arches/Fin's from acryl due it's not "strong" enough. Original Arches/Fin's are made from polycarbonate that can take bending and hits.

  • Moderator
    Alex March 6, 2011 at 6:34am
    What material should I use for the main square replacement parts? is clear acrylic strong enough?
  • wbal57 February 28, 2011 at 4:46pm
    sent you a pm thanks for the quick reply!
  • wbal57 February 28, 2011 at 4:16pm
    would anyone be able to convert the carrier plate and motor mounts to a ponoko type file? Thanks!
  • ip9 February 27, 2011 at 7:24am

    hi jani,

     

    i found the components thanks but it was an assembled version i was looking for. I know I should probably try and put them together myself, but as Dave had already done the hard work seemed a waste of time re-inventing the wheel

  • Developer
    Jani Hirvinen February 27, 2011 at 7:03am
    If you go to SketchUp 3D Warehouse and search ArduCopter or jphelirc or use this link you can find SketchUp parts that we have already uploaded. More will come in few days, we just need to clear some details on their design files.
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