It was in June or July, rainy season here in kerala , I was scrolling through the arduino playground pages... Then came across arduino controlled multicopter - The term multicopter struck .. have heard about Remote control planes helicopters and drones - But arduino controlled - why haven't I tried this before, As a electronics hobbyist from childhood I always dreamed of autonomous robotic systems that have so many applications in everyday life, but the idea of a autonomous drone or copter or whatever haven't strike me up to that day ..........and that lead me here....

              Up to this date i could swear there was no single day I brows through the net for build logs, theories , PID control loops, Electronic and electric components , etc.. etc.. .Learned a lot on quad copters, multi rotors etc... but I know I am not accomplished & I haven't really flown anything with a Remote control yet -( All that I could make airborne was those paper rockets - And I could say I have tried wide variety of designs with them , I have even succeeded making those that flips over and comes back to the start point !!!   )

              The real problem came when i finally decided to make one and started searching for parts - You may laugh - But what I found was Motors that costs around 1000 s and dedicated speed controllers also in same price range  - well If this is the case I am never gonna make it !!  . After searching and searching and again searching every day , comparing prices through different LHS, International hobby sites, decided to buy from ebay , And I could say I got some really good deals.

               There is RTF , PNF and ARF , but that is not my passion , I want it my own made and that way I could save any one rupee I can.

               The packages started coming IN around middle of this month and already got motors , props , connectors , and some other electronics for my DIY multiwii flight controller The SimonK 30A ESCs are yet to arrive.

               As for the flight controller I am using multiwii with custom h/w as of now there are plans for later upgrades.  (The build thread for this Flight controller will be updated and is under the DIY projects board) .                               

   

Before going in to the build details, let me thank ,

• arun.sreelakam , -my native- for giving guidence and giving a Flysky 6Ch radio   
• Anja Babu , for giving two good batteries   
• Vishal sir - For sending me a battery for free ! 
• And many others who gave helpful advices

 
(  There was bad experiance too  .... Not saying it now    )

So This weeks works included making the frame and soldering gold connectors to motors.
Also checked the multiwii firmware with MPU6050 -( details in flight controller build thread.)

Designed and made the frame using 16mm (3/4") aluminum square tubes and some cut out plastic sheet for center plate , all was done the previous Saturday  . But I am not satisfied with this design will make another - very soon.

the first frame pics.

Just put some colours......

Still, I have to upgrade the center plate to Fiberglass PCB or hylin sheet.
And motor mounts need to be made,
Now I am zip tying motors !!

Any suggestion with the material for center plate ?
I am planning to use GF copper clad sheet (which we normally use for Etching PCB !!)

Also I am struck at, with what I should make motor mounts...
Shall I zip tie it always, or bolt it to the Aluminum booms itself ?

Try plywood for the center plates, its good at absorbing vibs and light weight. Lots of people zip tie their motors. In case of a crash the ties just break absorbing the force.

But sir light weight Thin plywood, suitable for that purpose seems not available here in my place .

What about Glass fiber Clad sheet or thin Hylin sheet (switch board plate material) ?

or where can I get Glass fiber or carbon fiber.

Have a look here http://www.quadkopters.com/product/diy-parts/easycopter-hub/

350 RS + shipping extra..
That's not possible, better make my own,....

dont zip tie the motors. though its easy way but ve got its own disadvantages. once u fire up the motors there ll be a lot of vibration n this ll lead the motors to tilt slightly. this ll affect ur  flight stability. try it slowly u ll realise. better go for screws.

Yup.... I just used zipties for setting it all up and testing.....

Will surely upgrade.

But shall I get extra motor mounts or directly bolt the motors to aluminum booms ?

what is the weight of your frame without electronics?

Weight of the 4 Aluminium booms only is 120Gms. (weighed)
Center plate is plastic- may be less than 50 Gms.

So the main remaining weight of frame will be of the nuts and bolts.

Actually I haven't yet weighed the whole frame set up.
will do it soon.

well there is one way. If ur are using hard plastic i mean thick one, then cut a piece such that one portion is round where u can mount the motor with four holes for fixing the motor screws, the other end should be rectangular extended till the aluminum booms. put two holes at this end. This end will be connected to the booms via screws. I think this design is rather inexpensive and easy.

But won't the plastic bend - What you mean hard plastic ?

Now I got another idea, use the same PCB (GF) which I use for center plates too.
I can cut out this PCB in to motor mounds , , But problem is whether plastic or PCB, this will brake upon a crash, So what about bolting the motors directly to frame ?

u can also use acrylic sheets they are strong enough similar to plastic bt try them

Great work. Go ahead

Use zip ties. Tighten them nicely. They work very well.
Use gf to make centre plates and all the parts like mounts.  Gf is best.
Screws are not the best option as it is a point force on thin aluminium walls and it will cause bending on slight crash. Take gf sheet and make rectangular(1.5 inch x .5inch)mounts for motors and mount motors to it and connect those to arms with zip ties.

I personally had some bad experiences with zip ties, so am saying to avoid them. u can use copper claded board used for manufacturing pcb. it ll cost around 30 bugs which is sufficient for 4 motors. its rigid ll not bend or break easily.

thanks for suggestion,  What is this acrylic sheet?

@ radiocraft - thanks,
How is the radio deal going ?

Won't that come off?

Yup, that's my option , Thanks a lot.

I am also saying use pcb which is same as gf. To make mounts but connect those mounts to arms with zip ties instead of screws. Use screws only to connect gf sheet mount and motor. Tighten it well no problems. I flew stunts with it. There is no reason for having problems with vibration shaking it as vibration is something u should not have at all. Some other problem is causing failure.

See attached pics. I just cut a plastic sheet to show how. Make the White sheet out of pcb. This is just example.


See video of this guy-