Things Are Afoot

It has been a while since my last post. I have received and constructed my Shapeoko and have been getting used to using it and its ‘quirks’. The problem I have had with the OSQ450 has been finding a source of the Epoxy Glass board (G10/FR4) in the UK. I may now have found a couple of suppliers, once pay day turns up I shall be looking at buying some so I can start the prototype.

Most of my ideas have been refined as much as I can in the computer, so I now need to start the physical construction in order to check joins, spacings etc.

I am hopeful that I should have an update with the beginning soon!

OSQ450 New Renders

While I wait for my CNC milling machine to be available to buy I have started to make up some renders of the final product.

Tuning Performance

Keeping a quadcopter in the air is a complex business. I can’t imagine it would be possible for a human to be able to fly a quad without the assistance of a flight controller. Out of the box the APM Autopilot comes with its default settings, these are what I have been flying on. Until now.

Check Your Batteries

Like most taking up a new hobby I have been learning as I go. Some of those lesson harder than others! Today’s lesson has been about checking the charge in the transmitter batteries.

Simple FPV Tilt Stabiliser

I have just taken receipt of a Fat Shark Attitude V2 kit from Unmannedtech. A review of the kit shall follow in a post later on, but in this I wanted to say about mounting the camera. 

Introducing the OSQ450

When I started to build my quad I really wanted to make my own frame to use. However there were two factors that stopped me being able to attain that dream:

1. Inexperience of quad design,
2. No equipment to prototype with.

The first one is quickly lessening as I use the experience of building my quad, learning what I liked about the F450 frame and where I needed it to be different to fit my needs. Having taken the skills I have developed I felt I was able to design my own machine, that leads me on to the second issue.

Battery Charging – Mains Supply with ATX PSU

Most of the LiPo chargers available seem to run from a 12V supply. This is great if you are in the field (or in a field!) and want to recharge your batteries from you car. However it isn’t so good if you are trying to charge while at home. Sure places like Hobbyking sell plug is PSUs that can run the charger, but I want to reduce my outlay somewhat and I also have a few PC ATX power supplies laying around.

-UPDATE- Link to 3D models I used.

Landing Legs

One of the issue with the F450 frame is the limited clearance under the frame. If you want to add an under-slung gimbal, or even a battery, you may need more clearance. The biggest issue adding your own landing gear is the lack of attachment points. I decided I wanted to add extensions to the existing landing legs mainly for cosmetic reasons, I didn’t like the idea of ‘horns’ sticking out for no reason.

It Doesn’t Fly!

As I noted in my brief video from a few days ago, one of the motors decided to just blip out on me. This caused the quad to drop one side before it regained control. Well today it was running low on power (the battery alarm was sounding) and I was bringing it in for a landing when the motor failed completely. It plummeted about 2 meters into the ground. At first I thought only one of the printed legs, which I am replacing soon, was broken but it ended up being that plus the motor mount.

3D Printing – Securing Your Components

One of the things that I have tried to do with the construction of my Quad is to reduce the chances of things falling off or dislocating. I also wanted something a little more elegant than using zip-ties or Velcro to secure parts. Thankfully the frame I brought has a number or holes and slots by which to attach the various items. Here is the list of things I needed to secure to the quad:

• APM flight controller,
• Radio receiver,
• ESC,
• GPS/Compass module,
• Battery.

Fortunately I have access to a 3D printer (actually I own two, one I built from a kit and another I designed from near scratch). From this I have been able to produce brackets, clamps and holders for all the parts of the quad. In this post I will write up a little of each part and have them in the order of fitting.