Introduction: Preview...

About: Designer, Artist, Engineer

i start this project inspired by DJI mavic drone, so any drone can be like mavic.... just like this beautiful drone who made by John plunkett...

Once again, Many many thanks to John plunkett who have remix it and make it so premium and willing to share this photo with us... check it on http://www.thingiverse.com/make:334923

Step 1: Printable Foldable Quadcopter, DJI Mavic Clone Frame

Inspired by DJI Mavic, i create printable fordable quadcopter 3D model...

using spring mechanism for locking front and back arm into the place...

feel free to download, mix it or add anything on it to make it better...

PS: for the gimbal is still beta testing.... (instructables for gimbal will follow soon)

Step 2: Download Printable 3D

u can download from first model (see Orange drone picture above)

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1904276

or my first remix (see yellow drone above)

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1940102 (remix alternative larger body for larger battery)

or my second remix --> recommended (see blue drone picture above)

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2004357 (bigger body compartment, bottom plate for accessing from bottom, GPS box, longer arm support for higher clearance but smaller space for gimbal / camera) --> all part are tested...

Step 3: Bone in the Axis...

Put 3mm diameter screw (with long as long as the axis or close enough) to the arm axis hole...

this screw act as a bone so the rear arm axis have a higher endurance

PS : i use 3 x 34mm screw but try to find a longer screw than that...

like this

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3mm-6g-A2-STAINLESS-STEE...

Step 4: Spacer

put in the spacer to the rear arm...

PS: u can sandpaper it if the spacer and the arm not loose enough...

Step 5: Glue the Spacer

Glue spacer to the body with a strong glue like plastic glue or else...

Step 6: Rear Arm Angle

put the glued rear arm into rear arm hole...

before the glue is dry, try to find the proper the angle of fold position and hold it until the glue dry...

Step 7: Rear Arm Lock Mecanism

insert the spring than secure it with clamp...
Spring Specification... Coil: 1.0mm, OD/ID: 9/7mm, Height 22mm, 6 laps

PS: I using 3D printer spring... cut it as u need... don't too long (it will be hard to fold and unfold) but don't too short either (it will shake the arm while flying) https://id.aliexpress.com/wholesale?catId=0&initi...

after it finish do it for both side...

Step 8: Front Arm Lock Mecanism

put the spring into front hole and continue with the bullet...

PS:
Same with step 6, i using 3D printer spring and cut it as i need (if too long will be hard to fold and unfold, but if too short it will be unstable while unfolding)

Step 9: Front Arm

put the front arm into the arm hole... and try fold and unfold it...

do it for both sides...

Step 10: The Marriage

merge between the body and the head ...

"MAKE SURE YOU STRENGTHENING THE FRONT ARM ENOUGH OR YOUR FRONT ARM WILL FOLD IN MID AIR"

Yes it will be a little bit difficult to fold and unfold but it will be safer... (Thanks Traxxas&Reviews for sharing the video)

secure it with the screw from top and bottom...

Step 11: Bottom Part

Place the the body separator plate (divide between battery compartment and electronic compartment)

and close and lock bottom access door with screw...

Step 12: Top Compartment

close the head section and secure it with screw from top...

u can place the GPS module, gimbal module or camera module in the head section...

than u can close the battery compartment with battery cover and lock it with the clamp

Step 13: Electronic Part

This only basic quadcopter explanation guide, for more detail u can search for other guide on internet...

picture above is some example from different FC (Naze32, Pixhawk, APM 2)... witch one u will pick is up to u...

but generally what u need is:

  • 2 x CCW motors and 2 x CW motors (u can use 2212, 2312 or 2213 with 920kv or higher)
  • ESC (recommended using mini opto ESC 20A)
  • 22 Silicone AWG, 18 Silicone AWG
  • Flight control (u can use APM, Pixhawk, Naza, Kiss, CC3D, KK or else)
  • Radio Control RX
  • XT-60 female conector
  • power distribution board
  • BEC
  • Lipo battery 3S - 4S 2000mah to 5000mah (using open battery cover for large battery).. for me, i'm using 2700mAh 3s lipo...
  1. put CW motor to the front left and back right arm, and CCW motor to the right front and back left arm
  2. connect all 3 cables to the ESC output (don't worry if u miss the cable order)
  3. connect your esc input to the FC (it's depend on the FC u pick --> see your FC guide for details)
  4. connect your FC to the BEC for power out
  5. connect your FC to the Radio Control RX (it depend to the Radio control RX type and FC --> see your FC guide for details)
  6. Connect your Radio Control RX to the BEC power out
  7. connect your ESC power direct to the battery via power distribution board
  8. connect your BEC power to the battery too
  9. connect your battery to the power distribution board using XT-60 conector
  10. Setting your FC as u need (see your FC guide)
  11. and try to power on all motors (WARNING..!!! MAKE SURE U NOT SET ALL THE PROPELLER)
  12. if the any motor with wrong direction just switch place 2 from 3 cable and solder it again
  13. after all electronic done u can try for first fly....

for more detail electronic installation guide u can search on Youtube with this keyword "quadcopter build"

Step 14: Feel Free to Remix It...

I really want to have a good platform for folding drone, but I realized that I could not do it alone ... so here is my work so far, please feel free to download and remix as u would expect ... but I hope after u design it better, u can share it too ..

PS: The files that i share below is my second remix in 3dsMax scene file (see the blue one at step 1)

PPS: next if i have update this design i will post it in here too...

Step 15: Here Some Flying Test Video (but It's Not Me)...

Thanks for making this video...

By PsManiaHeroes

by johnp256

by Traxxas&Reviews


by Øyvind

Design Now: 3D Design Contest 2016

Runner Up in the
Design Now: 3D Design Contest 2016

Epilog Contest 8

Participated in the
Epilog Contest 8