SkyTrak Lite - Modular DIY UAV

thingiverse

This is an improved and lighter version of my first SkyTrak: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1033593. This multirotor design is intended as a framework, rather than a finalized product. I envisioned building an airframe on tracks (like a camera rig) instead of plates like most designs out there. Cutting carbon fiber plates for a custom UAV is complicated and labor-intensive. 3D printed multirotor airframes do not scale well because plastic is too flexible. The SkyTrak Lite solves both issues by constructing a UAV on a carbon fiber tube "backbone". These tubes are lightweight, common, and affordable. The 3D printed plastic parts simply serve as joints. Core "track" tubes are 10mm in diameter, spaced 60mm from each other. I chose this format because it is a standard rail configuration used on some commercial airframes and gimbals, like Tarot and DYS. The arms are 16mm in diameter, which is also a common size. This design philosophy makes the SkyTrak fully modular and customizable. You can create your own parts and attach them anywhere on the tracks. It's also easy to repair or modify. I designed the SkyTrak so that any part can be removed without having to do a full tear-down. Furthermore, I invented an arm-folding mechanism that works better than most common clips or friction methods found in regular commercial airframes. The SkyTrak Lite weighs about 450g, including CF tubes, nuts and bolts. Total weight will vary depending on size and type of motor mounts used. I did not 3D print the motor mounts since CF and aluminium ones are pretty cheap and more reliable. The reason the battery sticks out so far at the back is to offset the weight of the camera and gimbal at the front. With a lighter payload, it would be possible to mount the battery to the underside. Assembly is pretty intuitive. I have included pictures that should help you understand how it's put together. Here is a list of the parts you will need to buy. Make sure that your rail tubes have a 1mm wall thickness. The 0.5mm ones are too fragile. PARTS - For the motor mounts, I used iFlight universal motor mounts (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Free-shipping-Tarot-M16-Flight-Seat-Motor-Mount-Orange-TL68B08-01-multicopter-multirotor-frame-kit-quadcopter/32315808262.html) but anything that clamps to a 16mm diameter tube will work. 2x SkyTrak_lite_arm_mount: 2x CF tubes 10x8x300mm, 4x M3 18mm socket screw, 4x M3 nuts, 4x M4 35mm socket screw, 4x M4 lock nuts, 4x 8/4mm washer, 4x 9/4.5mm washers. 4x SkyTrak_lite_arm_clamp: 4x CF tubes 16x14x180mm, 4x M3 28mm socket screw, 4x M3 lock nuts, 8x 8/4mm washers. 2x SkyTrak_lite_legs: nothing. 2x SkyTrak_lite_plate: 8x M3 8mm screws, 8x M3 nuts. (Optional) SkyTrak_lite_battery_holder: 2x M3 8mm screws, 2x M3 nuts. The gimbal mount was made to fit the FeiyuTech 3D Mini3D. Print Settings Printer Brand: RepRap Printer: Prusa i3 Rafts: No Supports: No Resolution: 200 micron Infill: 40%