Yet another new design but I think this has real potential!!! 'Versacopter'

[guest325]

I';m calling this one Versacopter because it will be configurable to different types of frame.
The pictures speak for themselves; at the moment I';ve only considered a Quad but a hex may be an interesting idea to follow to see what the effects of different arm positions has!

[nub]

i like, the foldy arms are interesting.

[dockman]

I like it, nice idea. 

Just an idea, you could key the pivot point so there are set angles for the arms to be at.  That way they could not move once tightened and it would provide a way to match the arm angle side to side.

[guest325]

I like it, nice idea. 

Just an idea, you could key the pivot point so there are set angles for the arms to be at.  That way they could not move once tightened and it would provide a way to match the arm angle side to side.

Thought of that, the serrations are at 15 degrees to give you a bit of fine adjustment,  when I get round to designing the decks properly I intend to make the fc mount adjustable as well forward and aft to optimise things.

[guest325]

I';ve done a lot more work on this now including stress analysis of the Arm beam - looking good!!!
Basically you can now see all of the configurations possible with this design apart from a V Tail - which is in progress. The sizes can vary from a 450 size quad to a 700ish Hex all from the same basic frame parts.
The arms may be Aluminium extrusion (stress analysis done) or Carbon strips glued together or G10 strips glued together and possibly even 1/16" Birch ply strips glued together for the smaller variants.
The plastic arm parts initially will be 3D printed ABS but if the whole thing takes off I may invest in getting Delrin injection mouldings.
Hope you all like my work, I love doing this sort of thing - it keeps my mind occupied and is almost like playing 

[guest325]

The last part of the design, the V Tail - I';m not sure it can be 3D printed though, it';s a bit of an awkward one - an injection moulding will definitely be OK though, prototype may need to be milled in Delrin!

[guest325]

The prototype is underway!!!
Received the bits for the arms today off Danny (Handson), and they are splendid!  Great of Danny to get involved with this project but I think he can see the potential; there is still quite a way to go but so far so good!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI-x0H3O220&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Hands0n]

Its looking really good Darrell. Now that you';ve added the I-beam it has given life to the printed parts, I can see properly how they hang together now.  Looking forward to seeing this do its maiden ::)

[Cloudbuster]

Nice concept!!! Will watch with interest on this one ...

Regards rob 

[Royston]

OK Darrell

1st order placed

How much and when can I expect delivery?

Regards

Roy

[guest325]

At the moment things are still very much in the prototype stages but it looks as though it can either be a light build for performance or a somewhat heavier one for durability, at the moment the initial prototype will be roughly 450 size and very light so good flight times or high performance can be expected. With the bigger models I have to look more in depth at loadings to determine the optimum parameters for the arms and plates - the main thing I don';t want to do is make any of the designs unnecessarily heavy. I think that the biggest appeal of what I';m doing is the flexibility of what the model can be configured as. The 450 I';m building will be able to be a normal X or + or a deadcat or a H or a Vtail or possibly a hex; not made my mind up yet so that list may be reduced.
If you are genuinely interested I will let you have the stl files and give you the information needed to build one so you can get the parts 3D printed.

[Royston]

Hi Darrell

Yes I';m definitely interested. It looks reall cool and the folding apsect to hide from missus is a bonus.
I do have access to a 3D printer but I don';t want to steal your design though with all the hard work and time etc you';ve put into it.

Regards

Roy

[guest325]

Hi Darrell

Yes I';m definitely interested. It looks reall cool and the folding apsect to hide from missus is a bonus.
I do have access to a 3D printer but I don';t want to steal your design though with all the hard work and time etc you';ve put into it.
Regards
Roy

That';s not a problem, I wouldn';t offer you access to the design if I thought there would be a problem; the design is protected commercially anyway - I';m a member of ACID so have registered my design with them to protect me from commercial plagiarism; I don';t mind the odd few people having it to try out, it will help with the R&D side - it';s to easy to think your design is right when it';s only you that';s testing it! If you want the data pm me your email address and in the next few days I';ll send you what';s needed.

[guest325]

More work done after a bit of a stall (down to pressure of work!); 4-arms put together, the front one shows extra bracing I';ve added to give better torsional rigidity - the other 3 to do (they are made from 1/16" birch faced ply). These are for a 450 size, it promises to be quite light as the arms are half the weight of dji/rctimer/tarot ones, ask my 450 bitza 
The top and bottom plates are going to be 1/8" birch faced ply and I';m using an emax 4 in 1 esc, I';m taking a guess that it';s probably going to weigh less than 2/3 of the weight of my 450 bitza but that remains to be seen!

[guest325]

Didn';t go to the Pub for liquid lunch today, instead I did this:
I';ve decided to use the dreaded NTM Propdrives to see how well (if) my anti vibration system works; originally I intended to use the Sunnyskys and my emax 4in1 esc but thought better to use worst case.
Everything is mounted on rubber grommets to try to isolate the vibration off the motors out.
Hopefully I shall be able to get it in the air soon but now need a power distribution board (cue Philtrum I think! ).
Photos to add when I';ve re-sized them ::)
Silly me forgot to reset my resolution down!!!

[Hands0n]

That is looking awesome. Seeing it assembled makes all the difference Coming together very nicely indeed.

[guest325]

Done as much as I can now,  until I get the distribution board off Phil.
Now got Align 500 skids for it and esc';s laid out how they will be.

[guest325]

Had a brief fly with it today and unfortunately have to report a complete failure!  The swivel joint is not strong enough when 3D printed - I had a minor messy landing (a combination of my lack of familiarity with the FC and pilot error) and two of the joints failed (exactly where I would have expected them to).
Unfortunately it looks like the project is a no go; I must apologise to anyone who has done anything with it and hope that my lessons learned will make the next one all good!