Aluminium Quad/Octo frame

[Rocket_Col]

Hi all. Just tartesd on some aluminium arms for a new quad or octo copter. making arms from 19mm x 1.5mm box frame. machining them to keep weight down. First arm dome. any remarks or ideas if this will be ok?

[Jumpy07]

They look really nice.. looking forward to seeing the complete frame.

[Gaza07]

The ali arm looks very nice but wont they work out a bit on the expensive side ?
+1 can';t wait to see the whole frame 

[Rocket_Col]

The ali arm looks very nice but wont they work out a bit on the expensive side ?
+1 can';t wait to see the whole frame 

The aluminium for the 4 atms cost £5, I programmed them and run them on a spare machine at work over dinner. so cost to me nothing only time. If i were to make for selling then yes, would cost about £50/60 each

[Rocket_Col]

Rough mark out of frame, have to do lightening and work out ESC posiions. using 3mm Aluminium but thinned down in pockets to 0.75mm also some holes as well. should be a little bit heavy but fed up of DJI arms shattering in cold weather....

[Gaza07]

That looks very good Colin I notice you have kept the motors on the same pitch circle diameter as they should be and marked the centre, I think a few home made frames dont follow these basic rules and prob end up not working quite right 

[Rocket_Col]

Done some more of the body. coming along nice. A few pics here.
Not using that FC just there for scale and fittings

[Rammylad]

That looks like the Muts Doodahs Rocket, very nice 

[Rocket_Col]

more pics

[philtrum]

Love the engineering, stunning

Phil

[Gav]

Lovely!  Looks like something out of Terminator.  Love seeing folks engineering skills being shown off on  multi rotor projects.


Ps it deserves more than a KK flight controller lol

[Gaza07]

That is awesome     

[Riggsbie]

Yep, looks awesome.....

[macspite]

If i were to make for selling then yes, would cost about £50/60 each

Compared to some other frames that seems to be good value. I';d suggest more like 90-95 for public consumptions - after I have got one at the bargain price of course!

How does the weight compare?

[Gaza07]

I think he means 50 - 60 quid per arm   

Compared to some other frames that seems to be good value. I';d suggest more like 90-95 for public consumptions - after I have got one at the bargain price of course!

How does the weight compare?

[Rocket_Col]

http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10151485508507858&set=pcb.10151485509622858&type=1&theater

[e.chipev]

now that';s multirotor porn!... looking forward for x8 config with t-motors and wooden props...

[Rocket_Col]

Well, after a quick rebuild and swapping the APM for the Rabbit. first test and hover. Vid a it long and unedited. Bit twitchy but now changed some settings on remote and a bit smoother. I also have a MB1000 sonar and was wondering if anyone kne if you could use on the rabbit, I have SR-04 on rabbit at moment and piouts are labeled diff?
Aluquad flight 1.mp4

[robshaw]

Awesome. I want one.

[Gaza07]

+1 me Too   

[guest325]

Nice bit of engineering there, out of interest what grade of aluminium did you use?
It';s nice when something works well and makes a statement like yours does - engineering at it';s best!

[Rocket_Col]

Nice bit of engineering there, out of interest what grade of aluminium did you use?
It';s nice when something works well and makes a statement like yours does - engineering at it';s best!

The square tube was off the shelf, think it';s 6063 T5 or some such grade. The plates are machined from 2.5mm thick 2014 clad sheet.
It is lightened and milled to 0.75mm in a few pockets.
The standoffs are 6.36mm dia 19.05 long with a M4 thread through.
Flight controller is mounted on rubber grommets, as is the power board.
Hope that answers a few questions.

[dockman]

That is one darn nice looking quad you got there, lots of attention to detail. 

If I had access to a shop like that I would never go home, I envy you!

[Smeagol]

Theres a fair bit of machining and time gone into this one, and it shows, really looks darn good.

When you look at the early pics it looks well heavy, but the last vids show it flying and looks the mutts - great job 

[ATTICMAN]

Definatly got something going there, Lovely Engineering, Keep @ it.

[shazzy]

Awesome quad! Would love to know how much the frame weighs post milling. And maybe even the weight before lightening

[Rocket_Col]

Awesome quad! Would love to know how much the frame weighs post milling. And maybe even the weight before lightening

Not too sure, did weigh it and got about 40% out of it.
All packed up now, ready for new owner.
Thanks for interest in my projects.

[Deep Baloo]

now that';s multirotor porn!... looking forward for x8 config with t-motors and wooden props...

You might not be far off the mark for what is next for the Aluquad. Just waiting for it to arrive to assess the situation :)