H-copter / H-quadcopter

thingiverse

450 - 500mm quadcopter H-frame. printed entirely in PLA, ABS is usable for the frame supports but lacks the flexibility needed for the other parts IMHO. I designed and built this frame so as I could retain the overall size and convenience of a 500mm frame while minimizing weight and maximizing flight time, maneuverability & stability in the air. at the same time Ive used a "snapfit" method for many of the parts to allow a large degree of adaptability and versatility which means a wider variety of equipment can be added and removed from the frame with relative ease as the need arises. I basically wanted the option of having a bit of everything, with a few quick removals I could have a stripped down lightened frame that was rugged enough and light enough to chuck about doing some heavy acro fun while at the sametime by "snapping" a couple of addon's in place I could have a solid stable video platform. what Ive learned from the growing amount of test flights Ive been doing is that Ive hit pretty dam close to the mark of what I was after at the start. Frame when built is very solid and rigid while staying very light, frame without electronics weighed in at 600g, even when I added all my gear to it including a hefty 4000mah Rhino 3s, APM external LED unit and GPS I only saw that total just barely double at 1200g. current setup is- 4x Keda 2217 20turn kv860 (turnigy rebrand these as there own 2217/20's....oh and add a tenner for their sticker) 4x Emax Simon 30c ESCs APM 2.6 with GPS APM PDB APM external LED unit 3s battery alarm BoldClash fpv cam & VTX (Vtx powers cam, all leads supplied, very tidy kit, would recommend) 10x45 & 11x50 props (10 better for acro, 11 for power) all in all the setup go's like a rocket when I want it too, climbs like a bullet when I max the throttle and stays solid in place when I need it too. none of my batteries are what you could call "spring chickens" but my 2200mah 30C's will see me in the air for 7-8minutes while the 4000mah 30C can manage a easy 15minutes even when Im hammering it about a fair bit. deck plates are flexible which helps with vibe dampening, their also sat on rubber washers which further helps, Ive seated my APM on 3m double sided foam tape also and have yet to notice it being effected by vibes. Print Settings Printer: Colido Printrite diy 3d printer Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 0.3 Infill: 0.30 Notes: Frame tubes are 15x15 square tube carbon fibre bought from HK tube measurements are - 15x15x336mm(x2), 15x15x305mm (x2) Post-Printing Im currently playing with different canopy types (more for looks than anything else), the image shows one Im currently using but Ill add the files for a flexible curved one Im in the process of fine tuning when Im happy with its finish.