Folding Tricopter V3 by christophefoyer

Last crawled date: 3 years ago

This is version 3 of my folding quadcopter adventures! It folds down really neatly and should be a bit stronger than the last iteration.
Essentially trying to replicate the good points of having a Mavic, without the complexity, or the price-tag and closed-down ecosystem.
This is simply a case for your electronics. It should fit most 30x30 flight controllers fine, and reasonable sized batteries.
I can also modify the battery sled/compartment for external mounting using velcro straps should this model see interest.
I've tried to learn as much as possible from my first foray into folding tricopters and hopefully this is both a simpler model to print (overhangs are at ~55 degrees, should print alright, but I can modify the model if it doesn't, a prior model with 45 degree angles printed great so hopefully this isn't too big of a leap).
The bottom and top structural plates should now offer a lot more support, making the drone a bit more crash resistant, but if this is still an issue I can also create a version with longer internal cantilevers for extra support but which use a bit more internal space.
As of April 2021 I haven't flown this airframe yet, but it's good looking and prints quite solidly. I don't see how this could be a downgrade over the last iteration. The top can be replaced/modified to suit your use.
I've included a step file if anyone wants to modify the parts. The model was originally designed in fusion 360.
All dimensions are metric, but I can make an imperial version if wanted, mainly just need to swap the arms. (I'm not sure I have it in me to change the bolts used to imperial)
In terms of parts:
the flight controller hole pattern is 30x30
the motors mount on an X pattern with 16 & 19 hole distances (aka the radius of the circle the pairs sit on)
The arms are 15x15, any tube should work, just route the wires through.
The battery compartment is 135x40x25, but the part can also be modified if requested.
Everything else shouldn't matter too much, personally, I'm using:
3x NTM 2830 propdrive (KV is probs ~1200 too, I'm using old models), I'm running it on 3S with 11x4 props I think, 4S with smaller props also works, just listen to your RC forums
3x 30A esc (I forget the brand)
I'd recommend an F4 board with a battery board underneath, just stack them. I'm using an F3 and even those are starting to get old.
Any kind of FPV setup. I just have a cheap eachine camera that fits in that hole in the front, but I also left some extra mounting holes on the front for attachements, just make the fron arms longer to compensate.