DJI Mavic Mini recovery buoy

thingiverse

This recovery float is designed for effortless recovery after a water landing. The Mavic Mini will be irreparably damaged, but individuals with disaster insurance coverage may be able to have it replaced. This addition makes it suitable for those taking off from a boat into open waters. It's essential to note that this modification exceeds the 250-gram weight limit in many countries, so drone registration is typically required. Polypropylene is the ideal material for creating this print due to its low density (0.9) and excellent interlayer adhesion, making it waterproof. With a rectilinear infill at 5% and two perimeters, the estimated weight should be around 31 grams. The float's volume is approximately 0.2 liters, resulting in a positive buoyancy of about 170 grams in fresh water, ensuring its ability to float. However, this is a conditional guarantee because performing a real test is not feasible. Therefore, I do not assume responsibility for its performance, and if you decide to use it for recovery after a water landing, you do so at your own risk, understanding that floating is not guaranteed. There's an even lighter material available, the FormFutura Pegasus Ultra Light PP filament, with a density of 0.75, allowing for a weight reduction to 23 grams. Due to this material's softer nature, it's recommended to increase the compression area subject to zip ties to three perimeters. The buoy is conveniently secured with two zip ties; however, using a technical lacing tape, commonly used in the aerospace industry, would further reduce weight. This type of tape is often preferred over zip ties for its effectiveness and efficiency. I will keep the work-in-progress flag until I'm certain that the float can support the drone on the surface and ensure that flight performance remains uncompromised. mavic_mini_buoy_V2_fixed.stl has been updated to improve the opening of the battery compartment by shortening it by 2.8mm.