Folding TriCopter for 15.5mm with OpenSCAD Source - Remixed by MichaelErwin

Last crawled date: 2 years, 11 months ago

This TriCopter is a remix, inspired and based on the David Windestål design work at RCExplorer.se. If you haven't seen David's fantastic new v3.0 design, I recommed you visit his site and support him.
This design allows for the use of 15.5mm Towel Rack available at Home Depot which is significantly stronger than the 10mm x 10mm wood booms, while being very easy to obtain in the States, since Home Depot and Lowes are nearly everywhere.
Plus you can edit the SCAD source to make the parts fit any size boom you wish.
I remixed this design and moved things into OpenSCAD to allow for using the TriCopter as a project for a MultiRotor building workshop.
The source allows you to make each part or modify it to meet your needs.
It supports wiring through the booms, as well as Naze32 (30.5mm x 30.5mm) flight controllers as well as APM mounts.
Optionally you can use LiPo strapped directly to the center of the frame instead of the combination battery & camera tray.
Motor Mounts remixed from shmorgan: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:108762
Body Base remixed from peddiparth: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:231205
BatteryTray remixed from bobunobo: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:402931
I am currently building the prototype, and hopefully have a maiden shortly.
I used 28xx 1200kv Motors with Afro 30A SimonK ESCs for testing of different props, however 2212 900kv Motors with 20 AMP ESCs should be fine and reduce weight.
Also note I used a stand alone Castle Creations 10 amp Switching BEC, since I am used a digital servo. Analog servo would be fine, and would draw a lot less current.
For Yaw Tail Rotor servo:
I used a Savöx Micro digital servo Savöx SH-0257MG, most Micro style with Metal Gears should be fine.
Analog: Hitec HS-82MG or HS-85MG
Digital: Savöx SH-0257MG or Hitec HS-5085MG
Servo mount area space is 30mm x 13mm x 30mm
Yaw Motor Mount, acts like a rear leg, and the top tilt motor mount is retained by a M4x40mm, and you have the option of using either side or front ball links. Side give you more throw, while front is neater in appearance.
You can mount and use a Mobius and a GoPro at the same time. Mobius on the upper deck, and the GoPro on the bottom tray.
For FPV, I'll use my http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:230797 mounted on one boom and the cam mounted on front upper deck.
Folded Size: 670mm x 100m
Unfolded: 770mm x 905mm
Measured propeller tip to propeller tip
Maiden: 22-Nov-2014: Flight time 8m 23s
Props: APC 8 x 4.5 MR
LiPo: ReadyMade RC 3s 2200 @ 176g
AUW: 1052g