Introduction: 3D Printed Quadcopter With Arduino
Lately the news has been buzzing with stories of drone technology. Be it for delivery, recreation, or military purposes, unmanned flight is the future of aviation. Beginning in December 2013, I began working on a drone with several of my friends. We have created a drone that is 100% our own design. Using Autodesk Inventor we designed, drafted, and printed each part of our copter's frame. We converted our files from .IPT to .X3G file, allowing us to print our frame on a Makerbot 2x Replicator. All of the external wiring was done and reviewed by each person working on the copter. The three other people who created this design have the Instructables accounts BobBurghart, CoreyOrlovsky, and RichardP4.
Step 1: Acquiring Components
Before any of the frame could be designed, we needed to consider the size, shape, and placement of all components. Our design is centered around an ArduPilot 2.6. In addition to this, we have one power distribution board, four speed controllers, four motors, and an FM receiver that must stay safely on the copter. All of these parts, with the exception of the GPS and FM controller for signal reasons, are kept safely inside of our frame, and will not be vulnerable to crashes.
Below is a list of all purchased components on our device:
APM 2.6:http://store.3drobotics.com/products/apm-2-6-kit-1
Radio Set (Android Compatable):https://store.3drobotics.com/products/3dr-radio
Compass Kit:https://store.3drobotics.com/products/3dr-gps-ublo...
PDB: https://store.3drobotics.com/products/quadcopter-p...
Motors:https://store.3drobotics.com/products/motor-ac2830...
Speed Controllers: https://store.3drobotics.com/products/esc-20-amp-S...
Propellors:https://store.3drobotics.com/products/apc-propelle...
Battery:https://store.3drobotics.com/products/4s4000-lipo-...
Power Module:https://store.3drobotics.com/products/apm-power-mo...
RC Reciever:http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/171474770621?lpid=82
Controller:http://www.hobbylinc.com/futaba-rc-fm-radio-4-chan...
All other parts of our device were made in AutoDesk Inventor, and fabricated by us using a Makerbot 2x Replicator.
Step 2: Designing the Center
Our center was designed to fit all components and allow no movement in the event of a crash. The bottom part of our frame is designed to house both the battery and power distribution board. The top of our frame is designed with compartments for our ArduPilot 2.6, FM Receiver, and GPS. Both were designed on Autodesk Inventor and printed on a Makerbot 2x Replicator under high quality settings with the bed heated to 100 degrees Celsius and the extrusion head at 240 degrees Celsius. We used PLA plastic instead of ABS because the PLA printed from our printer was found to be more durable. In step 8 are the files for the center of our quad copter.
Step 3: Designing the Arms
Our frame and arms are designed to fit together using three 4" long 1/8" thick screws per arm. Our arms are 21 centimeters long and are designed with trusses to create the strongest structure while also keeping the weight low. Our motor mounts are designed to house our motors if the housings fly off. The motors are attached with screws underneath them. These mounts were designed using Autodesk Inventor and printed using the same settings as our previous prints. The arm file in step 8 is a .stl file of our arm.
Step 4: Printing
Export all files as .STL files from Autodesk Inventor's file type .IPT. From here we open Makerware software and scale all files to 100%. Set to the settings described in Steps 1 and 2, then save the printable file onto a secure digital (SD) card. Put this into your printer, and wait for the prints to finish.
ALWAYS HIGH QUALITY! ALWAYS WITH RAFTS ON!
Step 5: Wiring
Plug the Battery into the PDB and the PDB into all speed controlled motors. Make sure that the polarity is swapped on the "push motors ( motors on opposing corners with pull propellers) The wiring is quite straightforward:
1) Plug battery to APM Power Management cable, and APM power cable connected to the APM power input, the Deans connector should be out from Power Management cable to the Quad copter Power Distribution Board
2) ESC are to be hooked into the Quad copter Power Distribution board
3) The PDB should lead to all speed controllers and motors
4) The receiver should be plugged to the APM, Set all control components and plug them into their corresponding ports.
Many copters have been made using this setup.
Step 6: Propeller Setup
All propellers rotating clockwise should be push propellers (motors 3 and 4 in the diagram), and all props rotating counter clockwise should be normal propellers ( motors 1 and 2 in the diagram). Ensure that you have proper motors for your copter and proper propellers for your copter. Our propellers are 10.5" props that have effectively lifted our machine.
Step 7: Flight
Now that you've created your quad copter, it is time for flight! Our machine is flyable by either GPS or FM transmitter. Have fun!
Step 8: Compatable Files
There were some complaints of non-Inventors designers being unable to view or edit my files. I reformatted our parts as .stl files, and hope that they are usable by all.
If further problems occur, please post a comment and I'll be sure to respond as fast as I can.
Participated in the
Microcontroller Contest
Participated in the
Tech Contest
Participated in the
Formlabs Contest
61 Comments
Question 5 years ago
Hello, could u pls send data of Propellors in 3d maker bot
6 years ago
Greetings,
Thank you for posting this. Question for you. Would I be able to use my XYZ Da Vinci mini 3D printer for this?
6 years ago
The websites for components are all broken.Please tell me what they are. Thank you.
7 years ago
is that US because im from Australia
8 years ago on Introduction
Hi..i hav a 3d printer.so wat will b the minimum cost for this pjct?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
I just bought the parts from a combination of 3d robotics, amazon and ebay for ~$450
8 years ago
good I need this project code
8 years ago on Introduction
How much did this cost you?
Im interested in making this but need to save money
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
i dont own an android but if theres a cheaper way to control it, i would be interested. thank you for any help.
8 years ago on Introduction
I'm confused about the radio interface. Is this to be controlled by an Android app (do you have a link?) or by the RC controller, or by either?
Also, I have a Printrbot Simple, and I'm not sure it can manage the full arm length. The build area is 150 by 150, but it will need room for the raft. Any suggestions on how to modify the arm to fit in this area? I don't think it will be as strong if I cut it in half and print both halves.
Reply 8 years ago
Whenever I had that problem I would cut the arms in half and print the two and then (if using ABS) glue together with acetone. Cuttimg also allws you to define a flat surface from which to print up. I also have a 3Doodler which I use to merge parts together and gives me joints of the material fused together. Granted handling complex joints is a pain but I use acetone for the original weld and then the 3Doodler to clean up seams and very minor warping. Finishing with a small file recovers the part and we are in business -- sometimes I dont feel like reprinting and waiting if I can repair and move on.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
i have spent countless hours running experiments with a Makerfarm 3D printer and i found that printing in smaller parts and welding using acetone is a good idea. It reduces the risk of the prints failing and having to start over. And if it does fail you don't waist as much time.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Hey mgoodfel,
With our radio setup and with our FM reciever, the copter is flyable from android and controller! Either control setup can be prioritized. We decided to prioritize the RC aspect of our drone in case we must manually land. As for the arms, you'd have to print them in two parts. It will not be nearly as strong, but there is no other way to ensure that it will fit together with the rest of our build.
Kyle
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Well, the RC controller is $140, so if you could do without it, that would be nice. The RC receiver link seems to be bad now. Could you update it?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
You need some sort of RC controller to arm the machine. I'll update the link no problem.
8 years ago on Introduction
Over all, how much would this cost, and is there a way I could cheapen it?
I am too young to be able to fund a 1,000$ drone.
And also, this looks awesome.
8 years ago
Hey. What is the total weight of the frame, I am building a quad and 3d printing it but I need an estimated weight
8 years ago on Introduction
please add a video
8 years ago on Introduction
where are the videos of the flights?
does it fly well?
speed? lenght of flight?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Hey Patrice,
I'm sorry we weren't able to fly our copter for you on Friday. Every Tech teacher needed to prepare for a Google seminar being given at our school. Due to this, we had no supervision to fly, and by our school's rules, we could not fly. Perhaps on Tuesday (Monday is Columbus day, so we have off) we can get you your videos and statistics.
Thank you for your patience,
Kyle