LARGE MODULAR HEXACOPTER DRONE FRAME [WIP]

thingiverse

I am currently working on a drone design that serves as both a BVLOS technology demonstrator and a platform for general experimentation. The arms of this drone are modular, allowing them to accommodate various rotor sizes by adding or removing extension modules, effectively supporting rotors up to 12 inches in diameter. This project is still unfinished and requires the integration of a central chassis to house its electronics. I also plan to redesign the legs with extensions that provide increased ground clearance and support moderately sized gimbals. My goal is to use this drone to fly autonomously using Arducopter, pushing the limits of what's possible under updated FAA regulations in the near future. Initially designed to be compact enough for my tiny 3D printer, I realized that this modular design can also accommodate larger props or smaller 6-inch props by removing the extenders. This versatility enables multiple configurations to be set up using a basic set of parts. All through-holes are drilled for M2 bolts, ensuring precise clearance without requiring nuts - except for truss segments, where locking nuts are recommended. To prevent stripping, avoid over-tightening. On September 17, 2019, I updated the design by adding holes to the mounting plate for a 36mm x 36mm flight controller in its center.