Time to lock down the design?

Time to take stock!!!

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 :)

Mystery solved ... Airframe, Motors and Control!!

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?

First Day - Impossible to Possible

Wow, what an amazing day!!!

I really still don't know what I'm doing, however now it must be possible!!!

• Who would have thought you can buy quadcopter airframes on the net?  
• Who would have thought there's "plug-n-play" smart electronics & sensors you can buy?  
• Motors and Propellers all easy to get.

All the key parts are available, how exciting!!

There's more research to do:

• Which motors?
• How do I power the motors?
• How do I control the motor's speed?
• Which airframe?
• What sensors do I need?
• What "things" do I need in the autopilot?
• And probably many more ... that will do for now :)

Second Task - What else, Airframes and Motors!

Ummm what to choose?  Fixed wing or Helicopter?

Fixed wing won't be too good hovering.  Helicopter, that sounds expensive and probably difficult to control.

Google wins again, Quadcopter!!!  They look amazing and I do fancy something cool too :)

So can I buy the frames?  

It was a bit trickier, yet yes again!!! So there is a list of frames on this website.

Great one Google, the airframe site found you also sells motors.  Cool!  I still know nothing however potentially airframes and motors are sorted.