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Scale CAD models of APM & FPV related hardware

Posted by Quadzimodo on November 17, 2013 at 5:30am

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Hi Guys,

I have created a number of extra scale models to aid me in the design process.  Links to design files (skp) are below for use by all.  From left to right:

1. RFD900 (Sample kindly provided by Seppo for modelling purposes - and delivered overnight.. just fantastic)

2. MinimOSD

3. DIY 5.8Ghz VTX (I can post eagle files if anyone wishes to use this)

4. 3DR Power Module

5. Arduino Pro Mini

6. Turnigy 6A ESC (stripped and with 5V linear regulator removed)

7. APM 2.5 (posted previously, available in wiki)

Enjoy!!!

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Comments

  • Quadzimodo November 17, 2013 at 8:53pm

    Tero - Below is an image showing the the DIY 5.8Ghz VTX, along with a shot of the workbench... as you can see, you end up spending more DIYing your VTX link - atleast in the beginning.

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  • Quadzimodo November 17, 2013 at 8:47pm

    Stefan/Adrian - I will do some research for solution to bridging the conversion gap.

    Morli - Thanks mate!

    Gary - By all means, feel free to add them to the wiki.

    I included the KMZ file along with the SKP file for viewing purposes only.  There are a number of programs out there which will display a KMZ shape file but I have found that SightSpace (which is available free) for iPad is, by far and away, the most convenience to use when viewing my models.

    If you are to create a public repository page for these models, I would be happy to assist by providing tailored copy to suit - if this of any benefit.  Can even explain the process of capturing the board art, scaling and populating with components if suitable.

    Tero - The VTX is a 5th generation development on a design originally put out there by Bruce at RCModelReviews and developed upon by Tim Creque, based on 200mW 5.8 modules. These modules are available on ebay for about $40USD as a VTX and VRX pair. I think they are delivered configured for band E - but would have to check (band can be changed if you have good soldering skills).  I purchase these from gadgetinfinite, who have proved very reliable. Here are the schematic and board files for the VTX board you see in the picture. NOTE - While I am not quite happy with the performance of the video link yet, there are still things I want/need to improve.  For example - I am sure that the biasing resistor feeding the mic circuit is too low (audio is clipping and sounds horrible) - value is 1.8K at the moment, the next value I will try is 2.2K. I will also redesign shortly with SMD Tantalum Caps replacing the electros to get a lower profile. See here for more info on the origins of the DIY video link.  NOTE - If you are keen to understand your video link better, push size or weight boundaries, customise the circuit, build your own specialised VTX/Antenna setups, or customise in some other way to suit your unique application - then this is a great way to do that.  However, If you are just after a small, solid performing VTX, then buy an off the shelf 600mW VTX from IRC, and save yourself the tinkering.

    Joshua - Yes, I just love CAD, it allows me to explore the potential of so many ideas.  It provides me with the ability to test and rationalise all manner of engineering problems... and likel what Tesla could do, just by shutting his eyes.

    I would love to see what you are working on.  Perhaps you might be prepared to share renderings from one or more of your creations.

    Enes - Wow, these are just fantastic.  Were they built in solidworks? I got halfway through the 3DR Telemetry Radio, before moving over to the RFD900 instead.  Perhaps you and I could work together to create a CAD wiki which covers all relevant hardware and formats?

    ECODRONES - Thanks!

    Justin - I can't export as STP file, but I will see if I can track down a suitable plug-in for the task.  Thanks for the advice.  BTW - I do heaps of cartographic work with KMZs also, see here for a small example.

  • Justin Stiltner November 17, 2013 at 4:26pm

    If you can export these files as a step file *.stp most cad packages will work with it.  I have only ever used KMZ for mapping purposes. 

  • Drone Nerd November 17, 2013 at 3:20pm

    Really, really great. Well done!


    Thanks!

  • Enes ÇALDIR November 17, 2013 at 2:04pm

    Good work!

    I also have some files uploaded a while ago:

    https://grabcad.com/enes.caldir-1/projects

  • Joshua Johnson November 17, 2013 at 1:35pm

    good work Quadzimodo!  I am currently designing a few UAV on various CAD softwares (Solidworks, Creo 2.0, Inventor, Sketchup8) and I'm super excited to start making daily blogs on my CAD work!  Isn't CAD amazingly fun!!!

  • Tero Koivunen November 17, 2013 at 12:58pm

    Nice!. That  DIY 5.8Ghz VTX is interesting, where is more info, lit looks simple?

  • Gary McCray November 17, 2013 at 11:51am

    Hi Quadzimodo,

    These are really, really excellent.

    It would be great if the Sketchup files were available from the wiki for our editors and for anyone who would like to include them in their designs.

    I understand what a KMZ file is, but I am unsure what they are used for in this application, could you tell me why they are included and what is the intended type of use?

    I will be happy to try and figure out a good public repository page on our wiki for these if it is OK with you.

    Best Regards,

    Gary

    our userslike to make them available 

  • Admin
    Morli November 17, 2013 at 8:07am

    Good work,  this is really appreciated.  Thanks for sharing.

  • Adrián Nagy Hinst November 17, 2013 at 7:32am

    Does anybody succeed on export to solidworks?

    I unfortunatelly couldn't, I export to DWG from sketchup, but once I try to open in SW, it freeses. AutoCAD can open the DWG. The other formats didn't work either.

    I'd be really thankful.

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