I've been doing some basic calculations on power, weight, etc. and I released that it is time pin my flag to the mask to choose an airframe :)
Weight is critical on a hovering aircraft so let's go for a light one ... to be exact, the lightest and strongest my pocket will afford!
I've seen some airframes ... some amazing carbon fiber ones at a lovely high price, some very good looking ones however out of fiber glass or worse. With the amount of crashing that's bound to happen, I think I'll need something stronger than fiber glass and ply wood.
So what have I chosen? A while back I was really taken with Warthox videos ... this is amazing Quadcopter video.
It's just fantastic! There is the option of carbon fiber however, as I'm starting out, aluminium is best.
So I've placed my order! I'm going via Flyduino and those guys are great, I placed the order yesterday evening and shipping today!
I'm so looking forward to starting to see something more physical in addition to the electronics.
Lots of learning over the last 5 days. There's a lot in my head right now, many thoughts about the pilot control of the drone ... must write that down.
The electronics coming which will be fun, there's more learning there! Last part of the puzzle is connecting the Electronic Speed Control (ESC) to the Gadgeteer Mainboard. Definitely do-able, so I'm not worried.
Once that is done, time to lock down the design. I can't believe in 5 days this has gone from impossible to possible.
What's Needed in an Airframe?
Here's a few things I reckon I need ... will be fun to look back in a month and see how it has changed!
Lightweight ... I can't afford Carbon Fibre so Aluminium looks good
Strong ... one I don't want it to break on the first go!
Structural Integrity - I want to minimise vibrations ... that will do the sensors no good.
Storage ... somewhere to hold the electronics, batteries and camera
Sounds a tall order ... time for more research!
I reckon the Motors and ESCs now not hard to decide on after yesterday!
The final electronics are tricky to decide. I have a theoretical idea on how many sensors are needed however that all depends on how the real machine flies. Let's just have some fun :)
Oh how fantastic!!!! I knew I was missing something!!!
I came across this top website where it lists components that other's use, excellent!
Also there's links to other hobbyists who on their webpages list the parts they use ... I am so lucky, I love the internet age! FYI, here's one hobbyist and here's another :)
Where I was going wrong?
I had over specified the motors, then needed over specified Electronic Speed Controls (ESCs) and also looking down the wrong path for the ESCs.
It's so easy to go down the wrong path, I was so locked into checking robotic websites and component sites that I had neglected radio controlled hobbyists. These guys need electric motors with ESCs and there's bucket loads of affordable offerings!!!
10 or 12A motors be fine! Then ESC cost only $12 each. Even then a 30A ESC cost < $20 each. Oh brilliant!
I'm so happy!!! I can get an airframe (still need to decide), I know I have a solution for the motors and yes I can get affordable ESCs, what a result of a day!
One more question: How to interface the ESC to the Gadgeteer Mainboard?
OK, I want to build a drone that can follow me ... decision made, that bit is sorted. Time to put down my very simple aims, click here. Now, where to start?
Time for a plan!!!
So what's needed?
All this stuff needs to know where it is, I need GPS!!!
No airframe, no drone :)
Motors to fly!
Crashing is bad! We need some smart electronics to control the flight.
Haha, so simple ... still no idea about any of it :)
