TX8 Octocopter Drone (10" props)

thingiverse

This TX8 design packs in more components than my other “unibody” T-Copter designs, which leads to a slightly more complicated assembly process but results in a print time that's dramatically shorter – only around three hours for the longest print (a big improvement over the 10+ hour mark set by the larger designs). Before printing this design, be sure your printer has enough real estate: it needs at least 160 x 170mm of build space and its arms are 225mm long (although you might be able to get away with a slightly smaller bed if you print the arms on an angle). If you're interested in seeing more designs like this one, I recommend checking out my entire "T" copter family: T6 Hexacopter T4 Quadcopter (10" props) T4 Quadcopter Mini 315 (7-8" props) T4 Quadcopter Mini 250 (5" props) Tubular Crossfire 2 quadcopter I've posted some notes over at DIY Drones on the forums to help with improvements and discussion. Key features of this design include: a fully 3D printable structure without any need for supports an extremely light yet robust X8 framework, plus lots of space to conceal motor wiring – which can be folded down or even removed completely for easy transport a centre of rotation/thrust location that allows dual 3S or 4S batteries to fit comfortably with plenty of room to house two batteries measuring up to 160 x 50 x 35mm (6,000mAh each for 3S or 4,200mAh+ each for 4S). There's even space for more powerful ESCs – including the 4-in-1 kind. the top plate includes floating anti-vibration features that make it perfect for a flight controller such as the Pixhawk from 3D Robotics (available on store.3drobotics.com/products/3dr-pixhawk), although others work just fine the frame's low RF profile – giving you that smooth invisible feel, and a Sketchup CAD file included in case you'd like to modify things for your own specific requirements. Some video examples of this T-Copter in action: first flight, another at the river with the Tarot Gimbal attached, and one final shot of what it can look like against traditional arm designs. Check out instructions PDF below! First off, if you haven't downloaded my build plan yet – just head on over to your downloads folder and grab it! It includes a step-by-step guide for how I went about assembling mine using the following: * 3DR Pixhawk flight controller (it came equipped with GPS and telemetry, perfect) * eight old-school 880kv 3DR motors (these have got some serious history now) * eight matching slow fly APC props measuring ten inches by four and a half * Q Brain dual four in one ESCs to manage the high current flow on my TX8 – keeping them at optimal performance levels of course * Spektrum satellite receiver: all signals, every time. * old Tarot T2D gimbal which is still rocking (and even with that it flies great!). My trusty sidekick - a GoPro Hero 3+ in Silver * my power duo: two powerful batteries rated at 5000mAh 3S apiece