When quadcopter enthusiast describe their relationship with the little machines, words like ‘addiction’ almost always seem to come to the surface. Combine that with the alluring call of 3D printing’s personalization and customization and you have a perfect storm for obsessive tinkering.
“I’ve always loved flying RC toys, so when they became relatively affordable, I bought my first quadcopter. ‘Once you prop, you can’t stop’ so I bought another micro. Of course, flying little quads just makes you want to have a big one, one that’s capable of carrying a GoPro or of FPV racing and doing serious flying. I’d already seen several store bought and pre-built designs, and while they worked, they just didn’t thrill me. Since I’m addicted to making and 3D printing, designing and building my own was the only way to proceed.”
Spencer was interested in obtaining the maximum vibration isolation possible as well as combining carbon fiber components with 3D printed parts of his own design. While doing this, he was also interested in keeping the modularity and adjustability of parts in mind so that it would be easy for parts to be added and removed or remade as required by anybody wishing to use his design.
Each part was tested and redesigned multiple times as he worked to create the optimal configuration and assembly for his quadcopter. Having worked so closely to create every part of the final product leaves the designer with a true sense of pride and ownership in the design, unattainable by those who purchase ready made kits:
“The most notable design aspect that I’m proud of is the fact that the silicone isolators are arranged 90 degrees away from each other, like the sides of a pyramid or the XYZ axes in 3D space. This is so the mount can isolate vibration in all directions equally. I designed and printed my own molds for the vibration isolators and made those pieces myself.”
It should come as no surprise that despite the successful flight test, Spencer still considers his design ‘semi-final’ rather than finished. I’ve rarely met a maker who couldn’t follow an explanation of their creation with a laundry list of desired modifications. It’s what keeps us all coming back for more.
What do you think of Spencer’s creation? Let us know in the 3D Printed Carbon Fiber Quadcopter forum thread on 3DPB.com.