3D Robotics

Laser cut your own ArduCopter replacement parts

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:


3689390248?profile=original

 

And the Legs:

 

3689390286?profile=original

And the carrier board:

3689390197?profile=original

 

 

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Comments

  • Ddo you read the dxf files with svn?

     

  • @Chris. I'd have no idea how to do it either lol. Just a thought.
  • 3D Robotics
    Taylor: I'm not sure how to to convert from dxf to stl. Do you?

    We're just working with 2D files here for the laser cutting...
  • I just assembled my rep rap 3d printer, would it be possible to post or make .stl files so the parts could be printed at home as well?
  • 3D Robotics
    Robert: link and file above have now been fixed. Thanks for the catch!
  • 3D Robotics
    Robert: it looks like I was rushing and copied it at the wrong size. Sorry, I'll do it again when I get home.
  • 3D Robotics

    Pig: I don't understand your point. We're talking about people DIY'ing their own replacement parts using a service like Ponoko, where you're limited to the tools and materials they offer. The ArduCopter kits that are sold by companies are typically CNC'd from better materials. 

     

    Could you explain what you mean a bit more?

  • Given the general abilities displayed on this forum and the complexities of putting these things into the air, I'm amazed that anyone should be using a laser to cut such a poor material as 3mm acrylic to make the parts.    If you have the ability to CAD these for a laser cutter why not do a real design and fabricate them to be much lighter and virtually unbreakable with much better rigidity?
  • 3D Robotics
    Robert: your wish is my command! I've added the Main Square and Legs to the post above.
  • 3D Robotics
    Bill, you need to use a SVN client to download files from a SVN repository. We use TortoiseSVN.
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