So I finally received my KISS ESCs and it's now time to start building my custom made mini quad daubed the Foldy Quad! To start with, I want to thank Twitchy for cutting out this quad for me. If it wasn't for him, I would probably still be hacking my way through G10. But with his CNC skills my digital creation became a physical one effortlessly!
Design Goals
I wanted to create a small, elegant, foldable mini quad, something that can be easily thrown into a bag. I also wanted it to be fast, capable of flying with a GoPro in it's case, and capable of using 6 inch props. While researching designs I decided that I want to stay away from the H-Quad design, because it's really popular now, and I wanted something new. Plus, the H-Quad design limits how compact the quad could be when folded, and it's also not the most aerodynamic design when in fast foreword flight.
While doing my research I was inspired by the Cyberquad, posted on this forum, and the Warpquad. I liked the traditional X layout, so that's what I designed around. But I gave it a twist The Foldy Quad was born on a hot High Desert evening in AutoCad:
The Build
I got my parts from Twitchy a few weeks ago. They were perfectly packaged and cut out. Really high class! Everything fit perfectly. There was a small discrepancy on the motor mount wholes, but I think that has to do with my design files. After this build I am going to make some modifications to the frame design, so it goes together a little easier. Incidentally, if you guys like the frame, I may market it. But I have to get it flying first So here are the parts:
The frame uses 8 screws and 8 standoffs. The top and the bottom plate are linked together, but isolated from the middle (dirty) plate. This means that a GoPro or an FPV pod can easily go directly on the top plate, and you don't have to worry about vibrations. The top and the bottom plate are connected so that the mass of the battery can dampen the vibrations. Here is a shot of the frame all assembled, with no motors.
Because I only have one FPV setup, and because sometimes I want to fly without FPV, just for some LOS fun, I designed the FOV gear to be fitted into an FPV Pod, that perfectly fits on top of the quad. I am going to use that new style all plastic Velcro to attach it:
The frame is designed to handle a 2.2Ah battery and 2204 motors. Here are a few shots with Cobra 2204 motors and 6x3 HQ Props on:
And here are a few shots of the frame folding and folded in my hands. I do have large hands, but for reference the frame, when folded, without the props, is roughly the size of a softball:
The Electronics
This will be short, as so far I only got the KISS ESCs mounted. They are designed to be mounted directly on the arm, very close to the motor. The arms with the brown signal wire are CCW spinning, and the once with yellow wire are CW. The KISS ESCs are really cool, they have a jumper (JP2) which when shorted, spins the motors in the CCW direction. So it's really easy to wire. Soldering to the ESCs is also really easy! Here are a few shots:
The End for Now
Well, that's all the time I have for tonight. I'll post more updates as I have news. I need to find some kind of easy to connect 6 wire connector, so I can easily plug and unplug the FC. I also need to pick up tomorrow some more battery connectors, and some plastic thumb screws. I am looking for some M3 plastic thumb screws to use as the lock screws for the arms. That way, in a crash, the plastic screws can snap, rather then the arms.
Let me know what you guys think
- Bogdan
Design Goals
I wanted to create a small, elegant, foldable mini quad, something that can be easily thrown into a bag. I also wanted it to be fast, capable of flying with a GoPro in it's case, and capable of using 6 inch props. While researching designs I decided that I want to stay away from the H-Quad design, because it's really popular now, and I wanted something new. Plus, the H-Quad design limits how compact the quad could be when folded, and it's also not the most aerodynamic design when in fast foreword flight.
While doing my research I was inspired by the Cyberquad, posted on this forum, and the Warpquad. I liked the traditional X layout, so that's what I designed around. But I gave it a twist The Foldy Quad was born on a hot High Desert evening in AutoCad:
The Build
I got my parts from Twitchy a few weeks ago. They were perfectly packaged and cut out. Really high class! Everything fit perfectly. There was a small discrepancy on the motor mount wholes, but I think that has to do with my design files. After this build I am going to make some modifications to the frame design, so it goes together a little easier. Incidentally, if you guys like the frame, I may market it. But I have to get it flying first So here are the parts:
The frame uses 8 screws and 8 standoffs. The top and the bottom plate are linked together, but isolated from the middle (dirty) plate. This means that a GoPro or an FPV pod can easily go directly on the top plate, and you don't have to worry about vibrations. The top and the bottom plate are connected so that the mass of the battery can dampen the vibrations. Here is a shot of the frame all assembled, with no motors.
Because I only have one FPV setup, and because sometimes I want to fly without FPV, just for some LOS fun, I designed the FOV gear to be fitted into an FPV Pod, that perfectly fits on top of the quad. I am going to use that new style all plastic Velcro to attach it:
The frame is designed to handle a 2.2Ah battery and 2204 motors. Here are a few shots with Cobra 2204 motors and 6x3 HQ Props on:
And here are a few shots of the frame folding and folded in my hands. I do have large hands, but for reference the frame, when folded, without the props, is roughly the size of a softball:
The Electronics
This will be short, as so far I only got the KISS ESCs mounted. They are designed to be mounted directly on the arm, very close to the motor. The arms with the brown signal wire are CCW spinning, and the once with yellow wire are CW. The KISS ESCs are really cool, they have a jumper (JP2) which when shorted, spins the motors in the CCW direction. So it's really easy to wire. Soldering to the ESCs is also really easy! Here are a few shots:
The End for Now
Well, that's all the time I have for tonight. I'll post more updates as I have news. I need to find some kind of easy to connect 6 wire connector, so I can easily plug and unplug the FC. I also need to pick up tomorrow some more battery connectors, and some plastic thumb screws. I am looking for some M3 plastic thumb screws to use as the lock screws for the arms. That way, in a crash, the plastic screws can snap, rather then the arms.
Let me know what you guys think
- Bogdan