FPV drone - featured on GreatScott!

prusaprinters

<p>UPDATE: GreatScott!, a large electronics YT channel, has made an FPV build guide using this frame!&nbsp;<br>Check it out here:&nbsp;</p><figure class="media"><oembed url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeSDjjicGWY"></oembed></figure><p>UPDATE: I have added STEP files and a new back mount (V2) which has 2 extra holes on opposite sides on the main one, for flange-mounted vTX pigtails. The holes are set 12mm apart, which should be pretty standard.</p><p>Welcome to this FPV drone project! I am excited to present you my first FPV drone design and build, with complete part and print information, recommended parts and more!</p><p>First of all, look at all the parts there are to print and what they mean/do. If this is your first quad, be prepared for a lot of work. If it is not, things will be a little more self-explanatory.</p><p>Second, buy all the required parts if you don't have them yet and print the frame parts.</p><p>Third, assemble everything together and test if it all works as expected. You are ready to fly!</p><h3>Overview</h3><p>The final drone is a pretty large 6" cruiser-type quad, made to fly smoother long-range mission as opposed to freestyle or racing. The frame is entirely 3D-printed, but some components need to be purchased separately (more details below).</p><h3>Recommended components</h3><ul><li>Motors<ul><li>2306 minimum for this build, I would recommend even something larger like 2508</li><li>My build had 2206 motors, which felt underpowered&nbsp;</li><li>XING2 2306 are a very good choice</li></ul></li><li>FC stack<ul><li>Use whatever you want here, that is compatible with the motors and your setup</li></ul></li><li>vTX<ul><li>This build is intended for an analog build, although you could probably fit a Vista or Air Unit in there (experimentation required)</li></ul></li><li>Camera<ul><li>Whatever suits your needs; I used a Caddx Ratel mini, which is a larger 22x22mm camera with 1200TVL, which gave good image quality</li></ul></li><li>Battery<ul><li>I would recommend a large-r battery, with more than 30Wh (4s 2200+ or 6s 1500+)</li></ul></li><li>Standoffs <strong>!</strong><ul><li>The build is intended for 29mm standoffs (what I could find on Hobbyking at the time of purchase)</li><li>For smaller standoffs, the <i>Camera Mount</i> and the <i>Back Mount </i>have to be modified with the new standoff height</li><li>In total I have fitted 10 standoffs</li></ul></li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Parts description</h3><p>Below is a description for all the print files and how they fit together.</p><h4>Required</h4><ul><li><i>Lower Chassis&nbsp;</i><ul><li>Fits all the electronics and arms of the quad.</li><li>Has cutouts for zipties and cable routes</li><li>Offers 30.5x30.5mm FC stack mounting holes</li><li>Has holes for a XL4015 buck converter (I used it to power the vTX), but you may or may not need that depending on your configuration)</li></ul></li><li><i>Upper Chassis</i><ul><li>Holds the other end of the standoffs, the battery and the top of the camera mount</li><li>Has slits integrated in it for neat battery strap holding</li></ul></li><li><i>Camera Mounts(1 &amp; 2)</i><ul><li>They fit in the front of the frame in the provided holes and hold a 22mm camera by default</li></ul></li><li><i>Back Mount&nbsp;</i><ul><li>Holds a BN-220 GPS module and the vTX antenna&nbsp;</li><li>Some hot glue may be required for the vTX antenna to be held properly</li></ul></li><li><i>Motor Arm (V2 or normal)&nbsp;</i><ul><li>4 of them fit into the bottom of the chassis and hold the arms. They have cutouts for zip ties.</li><li>The V2 is lighter but weaker; I wanted to put some carbon strips on it additionally for strangth; normally just print the regular version</li></ul></li></ul><h4>Optional</h4><ul><li><i>FC Cover</i>&nbsp;<ul><li>Covers the FC stack for added protection</li></ul></li><li>ESC Cover<ul><li>Covers the bottom of the frame to protect from debris</li></ul></li><li><i>Action Camera Mount</i><ul><li>Fits on top in front of the frame and can accomodate a GoPro or any other kind of action camera you might have</li><li>NOTE: the current top plate only has 2 slits for mounting an action camera with a battery strap, I whave to modify it to accept the Action Camera Mount</li></ul></li></ul><h3>Materials</h3><ul><li>Frame<ul><li>PETG, don't use PLA because it is too brittle</li><li>PC or Nylon would be stronger, but they have more difficult print constraints, but you have the possibility to use them, they would be better</li></ul></li><li>Screws &amp; Nuts<ul><li>All screws are M3, the ones on the top and bottom are flathead, while the rest can be either a button head or socket head (preffered)</li><li>The <i>Bottom Chassis </i>has socket capture pockets to fit standard M3 nuts. They are used to mount the arms</li><li>SolidWorks BOM (approximate, since you will not use everything in the model)<ul><li>M3x10 flathead: 22 (for top and bottom)</li><li>M3x10 socket head: 16 (for motors)</li><li>M3x13 flat head: 8 (for arms)</li><li>M3x12 or longer socket head: 4 (for arms)</li></ul></li></ul></li><li>Zipties<ul><li>2.5x200mm or longer/shorter: as many as you can get (usually 20+ per build)</li></ul></li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><h3>Assembly</h3><ol><li>Print <i>Bottom Chassis </i>and mount the FC stack on it</li><li>Print 4 Arms and attach them with 2 M3x13 flat head screws each (and leave one hole empty for one M3x12 or longer socket head, you will screw it in the standoff later).</li><li>Print the top chassis and the camera mounts and in the meantime install all electronics (including motors) on the Bottom Chassis, connect all your wires up and test everything</li><li>Attach the camera to the camera mount, which then slides in the front holes provided for it.</li><li>Print the Back Mount and install your GPS (if needed) and vTX antenna</li><li>Install the standoffs on the bottom side with M3x10 flathead screws</li><li>Install the Top Chassis piece with M3x10 flathead screws&nbsp;</li><li>All done!</li></ol><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Please post comments if something is unclear or more information is required. I am excited to see your makes! Cheers!</p>