Solaris ---> SKY Shield

grabcad

When I first read about the challenge and it mentioned about having an accessory that had to do with guiding large groups of people, I couldn’t get the thought of a display screen out of my head. But I thought, nah, too complicated, too big and too bulky and it was electronic so it wouldn't fit a "3dprinting" competition. Then I started researching and came across these super awesome programmable LED matrix panels (shields) from adafruit: https://www.adafruit.com/products/420 o Dimensions: 192mm x 96mm x 12mm (7.6" x 3.8" x 0.5") o Panel weight with IDC cable and power cable: 170 g o 5V regulated power input, 2.5A max (all LEDs on) o 5V data logic level input o 2000 mcd LEDs on 6mm pitch o 1/8 scan rate o Indoor display, 150 degree visibility o Displays are 'chainable' - connect one output to the next input - but our Arduino example code does not support this yet After reviewing the specs, I started to realize that it might actually be possible. After all, they were lightweight, only 170g’s each, they’re small and compact, inexpensive, and best of all, they can be daisy chained to form a larger array. They used 5V power, which can be tapped right from the MAV’s FC and the arduino board is fairly small also. So from a technical standpoint, the electronics seemed feasible. It was just a matter of figuring out how to mount them. Not being satisfied with just one panel, I didn’t think that would be large enough, I thought, how can I get a large viewing area without taking up a lot of space…… why not daisy chain three of them side by side, then somehow make them fold up to take less space during flight. Again, this became the second hurdle in the process. The electronics were covered, but I wasn’t quite convinced I could pull of three of them in a folding unit…. I made a really quick mock up cad model just for proof of concept…still wasn’t convinced. So left it for a while, came back to it and kept at it until it started to fall together and looked more and more feasible. So basically, the Solaris Sky shield consists of three, 3D printed panels, they’re all printed at once in one print so that part is very 3DPcentric. The panels hold the three LED Matrix panels (just stuck on or screwed on) and there are integrated mounts for two small HS-55 servo motors, these servo motors are used to fold the two outside panels in and out. Each tiny servo can lift 1.25kg @ 5v so they have plenty of torque to swing the panels. Since the swing of these panels is 180 degrees, the servos need slight modification since they only will turn 90 degrees, nothing that can’t be hacked. Then this panel system is then attached to pivot mounts so that it can pivot 90 degree’s. Two of the same servo motors are used to perform this action, they are attached by small mounts, the servo arms fit into coupling slots integrated into the panel system. All of this is bolted to a baseplate that is then attached to either the top or the bottom of the Mav/uav/quad, hex or tri copter. The overall effect is the ability to get a large viewing screen from a compact form factor. The panels fold to roughly 1/3rd their size, then they fold down 90 degrees to sit parallel with the airframe which reduces drag and interference with aerodynamics and prop vectoring. Obviously, with todays high technology, there are other, more “high tech” panels and electronics that can be used. But the point here was to have something awesome, on a budget and that used the benefits of 3Dprinting. This whole system could technically be built for probably under 200$. It’s not the most lightweight, not the most high definition, but it would allow very basic visual communication to be displayed which could go a long way in certain situations, such as: - Guiding crowds/crowd management/evacuation - Safety, warnings and traffic management - Law enforcement, fire, first aid support - Advertising and marketing - General communication Admittedly, the horus V tail is probably a little small for this system, it's better off fitted to a larger 450 sized quad, but then again, most things are as the little 250 sized quads can basically only carry a few hundred grams maximum. I see the Solaris being outfitted underneath a flamewheel 450 style quadcopter or hexacopter. With the three screens daisy chained, any kind of sign, text or symbols could be programmed to scroll, flash or display. Combine that with the mobility of a mav and the practicality of a 3d printer, and you're dealing with a pretty powerful innovation. I usually like to build prototypes for most of the 3dp competitions but unfortunately I think I will have to forgo this one as I would have to order parts and they wouldn't arrive in time. However, I do now think that this could very well be built for very cheap and I think I will probably tackle it at some point in the future. Anyone else is welcomed to try also. Keep me posted on how things go. You're more than welcomed to use and modify my files, please don't use them for commercial benefit or pass them off as your own. thanks to Fathom for spurring on my imagination with these challenges, as always, comments and likes are welcomed..... my other entries are here: Generic Release latch Flare Holder (QUASS) The whale sponge (QUASS)