Make an H Quadcopter With 3D Printing

Lets make a 3D printed quadcopter frame! This build is for the 3D Design contest, along with my hobby. This frame is different compared to conventional frames wherein its more of a Cross or X, This frame is more of a Semi H/X. Compared to other frames this design will give you a lot of space especially for your FPV equipment, Gimbal, and more. Its Faster than your normal X configuration quad, just pack it with some of your favorite motors,ESC', Batteries and receivers and your ready to go

This build will be concentrating on the frame build and electronics parts only for the tuning its up to you or your local hobbyist to help you out in tuning. (LOOK at the last step for the best way to get your quad running without doing manual tuning)

Design: The design is based from the 250 Blackout mini Quad, I was inspired in our local flying which lead me to making this using my old F450 parts. The 250 Blackout frame is famous among mini Racers since its designed to crash and its length gives it the upper hand to pitch forward with ease and speed

250 size Mini Quad Race video

Acro Session with my Quad using my DIY MULTIWII

(MAKE YOUR MULTIWII FLIGHT CONTROLLER HERE)

Files:

Go to the next steps and download Parts.rar for the stl files and PM me for the RAW sketchup file or DWG file.

Specs and Key features

Model
Blackout 330

Frame Weight

(282g)

Diagonal Wheelbase

330mm

Takeoff Weight

600g ~ 1200g

Recommended Propeller

8 × 4.5in

Recommended Battery

3S~4S LiPo

Recommended Motor

22 × 12mm (Stator size)

Recommended ESC

20A +

Wireless programming Via Bluetooth for PID settings, Telemetry and in flight data logging (NOT A WIRELESS CONTROLLER)

Printing Cost & time~ $$$

It took about 8 hour of printing, with a cost of almost 56$ here in the Philippines

Looking for local 3D printing service?

Heres a good website on where to start 3D HUBs

Tools & MAterials

Cordless drill

Cutter

Soldering Iron

Allen wrenches.

Super glue

screw drivers

sandpaper any grit that will just smooth en the surface

Parts- Next step for 3D print infill setting

1x Heli Landing gear

2x Base

4x Side Base

4x Arm

1x Topbase1

1x Topbase2

8x Standoffs 3x35mm

---------------------------------

12x 3x20mm screws

16x 3x10 Screws

16x 8 to 10mm long M3 or 3mm screws

12x Locknuts

Electronic Parts

4x 920Kv or 950kv brushless motors , "GEARBEST SALE" 03/18/2016

16x 3mmx8mm screws

1x 4 in 1 ESC 25A / 4x ESC opto

1x Flight controller |Multiwii, CC3D, NaZe32, APM etc|

Bluetooth Module/telemetry module (wireless programming)

Receiver.

Print setting is crucial in this project because in here we can control the weight and stiffness of each part, as well as printing cost and time.

arms.stl

Infill 30%

Layer thickness .25

Shell 1

Base1.stl

Infill 20%-30%

Layer thickness .3

SHell 1

SideBase.stl

Infill 10-20%
Layer thickness .3

SHell 1

Standoffs.stl

infill 100%

LAyer thickness .25

Shell 0

Top Base 1 and 2

Infill 15-20%
Layer thickness .3

SHell 1

Once you receive your parts there might be a need for some drilling and certainly gluing because this 330 size frame exceeds most 3d printer sizes I decided to split some parts of the frame and just glue it together once its with me.

Things to do

1. Drill all the holes you see with a 3mm drill bit

2. sandpaper the rough edges/ surfaces

The slots you see encircled are the slots for your Arms you will need:

12x 3mmx20mm Screws

Insert all the screw first then lay it down on a flat surface, Attach the arms just like what I did on the 2nd picture

I used 2 screws since i'm out of stock.

There are different types of Heli Landing gear and im not familiar with this so in this step its up to you on how will you be able to attach your landing gear, but anyways here what I did

doing the usual technique

Position your landing gear then mark the holes using a pen/marker then just start drilling easy right! After that just use the screws that came with it and your done.

As you noticed there are 2 layers of the same part. This is because a layer is not strong enough to make a Quad fly, try bending one i'm sure you'll know why. So when you stack two layers bending will no longer be an issue.

Things you will need for this step:

8x 3mmx10mm screws

8x 35mm standoffs

12x Lock nuts

Attach the standoffs first on the 2nd base and once done align the 2nd base through the screw holes then finally get your lock nuts and lock it in place.

Easy as it is just attach the last parts

8x 3mmx10mm screw

Top base plate 3D printed and glued

By logic just screw it in place and your done!

The electronics parts of the Quad copter is quite easy but some people just dont know how to spend wisely. So I will help you guys pick your parts according to my wishlist

Flight controller Multiwii series (I do not suggest buying the kk2 if your are going to go FPV and acrobat) If you want to learn flips on your quad and FPV go for Multiwii because there are more mode options compared to kk2 wherein it will just give you the LCD tuning option, after that you cant upgrade it anymore unlike the Multiiwii wherein you can ttach a GPS, bluetooth module and an LCD.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__27033__...

Wireless programmer (bluetooth)

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__64776__...

Motors in my guide I used the DJI 920KV but as I learned through my hobby DJI is overpriced so my friends in our local flying field suggested this motor. Its cheaper and basically the same as the DJI 920kv.

http://www.banggood.com/Emax-MT2213-935KV-Brushles...

ESC I chose the 25A ESC because it will give you that extra power you need when flipping You can also pick 4 in 1 ESC' because it will lessen the wiring problems.

http://www.banggood.com/Emax-Simonk-Series-12A-20A...

http://www.banggood.com/Emax-Quattro-25A-X4-UBEC-M...

Transmitter! Something expensive as the quad but will give you everything you need. I use the Turnigy 9Xr but trust me this is better since it includes the Casing with it

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__45026__...

receiver module

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__14350__...

Battery, You would want to range from 4000mah to 5500mah but I suggest using 4000mah

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__56847__...

Charger, For a beginners setup this is the Ideal one since it will maintain your batteries health and balance it properly (Do not use Cheap chargers)

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__6478__I...

You will need

16x 3mmx8mm screws

Easy as it is just screw things in place and proceed to the next step

Wiring may change as your flight controller differ so better check you flight controllers pin out over the manual.

But this is the usual standard connection for your Quadcopter

The connections are really simple

There is a saying watching is better than reading in terms of learning so here

A guide over youtube to help you guys Credits to the Owner

Note~

The Flight controller I suggested does not need an FTDI uploader since its built in

If you have problems with your flight controller configuration then feel free to ask me over the private message.

Important

Dont forget to calibrate Accelerometer by putting your quad on a flat surface

And calibrate your magnetometer by rotating is in all axis for 30 seconds

And you if you have the bluetooth module (Upload the Multiwii program first before doing wireless)
simply connect the following

Bluetooth | Multiwii

5V | 5V

Gnd | Gnd

Tx | Rx

Rx | Tx

Wireless programming~

Programming with a Wire sucks lets go to the next level which is a lot better

Download this in your android phone

For apple devices try looking for some multiwii programs because I have no idea about apple~ This app is very useful, It eliminates all the drag of bringing a laptop and tuning it on the field and then testing the values all over and over again through a "cable and a laptop" ..that sucks. So here I wish you a safe flight and have nice day!

Tuning is actually easy as long as you have a bluetooth module. Be patient and take your time reading

http://www.multiwii.com/wiki/?title=PID

Or if you know some people around who deals with multi rotors such as this Quad then better ask help from the professional. It will be much easier tuning it with someone experienced.

I will Elaborate more on this step for those who are more advanced and with the ones who have expensive flight controllers.

AUTOTUNE - This is the way I do it with my latest flight controller "APM 2.6 with UBLOX6H GPS/compass". This is a flight controller that is somewhat expensive compared to the multiwii or kk2 it has everything you need from the basics to the advanced, like return to launch, loiter, GPS lock, way points etc. This is the ideal flight controller for most quadcopters since its performance is noticeable compared to the kk2 and multiwii with that is has more than a dozen features to help you start out with the basics of flying a drone.

APM "ArduPilotMega" just like an arduino mega it packs a lot! making this flight controller a good one

setting this APM up is a long process so a youtube video will help a lot

Watch every step in the video, but you will notice some changes when you do it yourself since the video has an outdated mission planner and the up to date mission planner guides you in the whole setup.