Minimalist Whoop FPV Quadcopter - 6-7mm Motors

thingiverse

Trying to build a more minimalist whoop frame intended for outdoor use. I've always wanted just a place to put the FC, motors and camera with zero additional parts. ## Model Highlights * ~1 gram frame (in PLA) * 6mm and 7mm versions, 7mm for increased power * Minimalistic as can be, yet still durable enough to withstand rough handling * Able to use a bit larger propellers than typical whoops (up to 40mm) * Mount the FC straight on instead of diagonally mounting it to support... * Lower-mounting the camera on the frame (not possible with diagonal mounting) * Almost no added weight in parts for mounting motors, battery or FC * ~17 gram (6mm) completed build weight (without battery) ## Build Instructions * Get any Inductrix-style flight controller (BetaFPV, NewBeeDrone, Inductrix, etc.) * To mount your Flight Controller, place it in the middle and see if you can push it down to be flush against the 3D print. More than likely, one or two of the tabs in the middle you will need to snip off. This is by design. Snip them off to make your FC fit, each FC has parts in different places. If you must, snip off all four, but you shouldn't have to. These are just to add a bit more strength to the FC not bowing into the middle. Once your FC is in place, put a spare/cheap/throwaway tip on your soldering iron and tap the 4 nubs for a second to heat them up slightly to melt them ever so slightly onto your FC, holding it in place. * To mount the motors, where there's a little "inlet" in the motor mount put a very small dab of hot glue and press the motor in as far as you'd like it to go while it's hot with a slight turn. It will be difficult but movable while it's hot for a few seconds. If you mess up and didn't put it down far enough (or too far) just pull it out, clean off the hot glue, and try again. * To mount your camera if using an affixed cam+vtx combo get mini hair-tie bands (one or two) and put it in place in the front (see pictures) while bending the antenna backwards * To mount your camera if using a split transmitter and camera, mount the camera up front flush up against the frame, and mount the transmitter on the top of the FC with some double-sided foam tape * To mount your battery, throw a mini hair tie band across the frame and throw it on the bottom. You're good to go! Feedback welcome! ## Build Tips * If you're worried about the wires on the bottom, use a slight dab of hot glue to keep them in place against the FC * If you're worried about bashing the bottom of your motors against the ground, similarly use a tiny dab of hot glue on the bottom of them, or use a small piece of heat-shrink tubing with a little extra sticking out the bottom ## Changelog * **v1** April 4, 2018 - Initial creation * **v2** April 10, 2018 - Revised to add a bit more arm support, reduced the height and width of all pieces to reduce weight, rounded off the corners of the motors more, moved out the FC mounts slightly to fit better (0.3mm) * **v3** April 11, 2018 - Revised to strengthen arms, they were too weak and flexible, also raised their height back to 3mm for added durability