H-Quad Folding project

by TheBeroys | July 26, 2012 | (10) Posted in Projects

Hi,

I thought I would try to make the H-quad with folding possibilities for easy transport.

Here is the start of the project.

First a made a frame with 15x15mm wood sticks. The frame is 80x420mm.


I used screws and wood glue in the corners.


I made the bottom support for the arms in Aluminium 80x30mm, 1.5mm thick.

I screwed this to each short side of the frame. 15mm off the plat outside off the frame.


Next I made the top plate and the top support for the arms. Th top plate was also made from aluminium 450x80mm thickens 0,8mm. On the top plate I attached the upper support made from wood sticks 15x15mm length 114mm.


 

Then I mounted the top plat to the frame.


Then I made 4 arms, wood sticks 15x15mm length 230mm. I placed the arms between the lower and upper support. And drilled 3mm holes in the upper support and the arms. I placed 3mm bolts in the holes 35mm length.

Under you see the arms mounted with the 3mm bolts.


As you ca see there is a hole and a gap between the arms. Here am I going to use a 4mm bolt with a wing nut. To tighten the upper and lower support for the arms, before flight. This will secure the arms during flight.

And finally the frame with arms mounted, showing flight position and transport position. 


I also made a drawing in Google Sketchup. See under.




Under the Quad I am going to use a Aluminium mesh, which also will give good ventilation for the ESC.


So now I am only waiting for the electronics and motors to do the rest of the H-Quad. 


The H-Quad is coming together. Her are some more pictures. One from top and one from bottom. I also attached balls in the corner. Green is front and red is back for easier orientation in the air. They also work as landing "skids"

Just waiting for the CW and CCW propeller now.







Finally I got the propellers, so I made it flight ready. See below last pictures with propeller mounted and a flight video from youtube.






Flight Movie

COMMENTS

jbalatutube on July 28, 2012
There is no reason why you couldn't replace the aluminium with 3 mm ply

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TheBeroys on July 28, 2012
Hi,
If the aluminium gives me trouble, it will be easy to change it to ply.
I had the aluminium lying around so thought I will give it a try.

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rcbif on July 28, 2012
Look into G10 / FR4. Same stuff the rcexplorer tricopter is made of, and some fancy multicopter frames. It's what I'm using for my folding H-Quad I'm designing. I would recommend .062". It's sold on Amazon under the name "G-10/FR-4 Sheet, MIL-I-24768/27, GEE, Natural"
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rcbif on July 28, 2012
Any unlike the plywood, it's defiantly stronger, but maybe a bit heavier. Defiantly lighter than aluminum though.
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TheBeroys on July 29, 2012
Hi,
Thank you for info. But I think maybe the postage for this to Norway would be expensive? Butt absolutely a good materiel to use for this type of build.

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capkill on July 30, 2012
Hei,

Ser du er fra Norge. Har et lignende prosjekt på gang. Har du brukt PN fra ESC til motor, funker det OK..? Har du opplevd problemer med dele forsendelser fra HK...? Venter sårt på deler fra HK, men det drar ut :(
Ser veldig bra ut.. lykke til :)
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TheBeroys on July 31, 2012
Hei,
Har brukt vanlig kabel fra Motor til ESC på tricopteret mitt også. Ikke hatt noen problemer med det. Er bare å passe på å ha rett kvadrat. Her har jeg brukt 1,5mm2, tatt og splittet en gummikabel. Den er ganske myk og tøyelig. Kabel fra Biltema.
Har aldri delt opp en sending fra HK. Har kun registrert ordre når jeg ser det er på lager. Frakt pr. gram er nesten den samme for små og store forsendelser.
Ja er litt håpløs med deler på lager fra HK.
Hva slags prosjekt driver du med?
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Jake Wells on July 28, 2012
Cool idea.
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TheBeroys on July 29, 2012
Hi,

Thank you, also fun to try new approach to thing.
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WBG on July 29, 2012
I made something similar last weekend, i used 3mm ply for the top and bottom...

[URL=http://s185.photobucket.com/albums/x19/_wbg_/Multi/?action=view¤t=20120723_213658.jpg][IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x19/_wbg_/Multi/th_20120723_213658.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

[URL=http://s185.photobucket.com/albums/x19/_wbg_/Multi/?action=view¤t=20120723_213637.jpg][IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x19/_wbg_/Multi/th_20120723_213637.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

I think your way of attaching the arms is stronger than mine.
I'm away from home working for ten days, and cant wait to get home and finish my new H-quad...
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WBG on July 29, 2012
Oops, that comment got messy, here's a link to the album on photobucket...
http://s185.photobucket.com/albums/x19/_wbg_/Multi/
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TheBeroys on July 29, 2012
Hi,

Nice design, your is much less heavy than mine I think.
I just hope both design will fly nice, and work as thought.
Looking forward to see your finished product and how it works.


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skelator on October 9, 2012
Nice i was looking something similir as doing a mini H quad build I post mine when I have the material your folding method definitely in my list
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SUPAD on August 2, 2012
Hey very nice, i've been thinking about the same build ! :)

I was hesitating on few more things :
- Something to carry it like a suitcase
- Something to attach it to a bagpack
- Having the center plate larger than the frame and a bit thicker so when the arms fold the motor are protected in it.
- A way to set the prop inside when i'm moving
- A way to set the Tx inside, but that might be WAY too big :)

Have you consider some of the options and found a flaw in it ?
(i'm asking so i won't try if so ^^)
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TheBeroys on August 2, 2012
Hi, thanks.
I would also like a construction that would protect the propellers, but did not find any smart solution. I think it would be to big and heavy.
The TX and KK board can be protected by a plastic cover. Or you could make the side bars larger so that the room between the top plate and bottom plate become a little larger. There are some space between the 4 ESC. Maybe make the H-Quad a little longer to get more room between the ESC.
But I think mine is already a little on the heavy side. But you could use carbon instead to make it lighter. I will see when I get my propeller so I can test it. So maybe I have to modify it and make a version 2. But that is the fun off the hobby, to try, and make better solution after some experience.

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TommyG on July 26, 2012
Looks good! I don't know much about multi-rotors but the aluminium design looks heavy compared to the flitetest H-Quad. Also beware that aluminium is an excellent electrical conductor, so make sure you insulate your controller board. It might also shield your RX.
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TheBeroys on July 28, 2012
Hi,
Thanks for your comments. Much appreciated.
I know maybe aluminium is not the best material to use, but I had that lying around. And was also looking for an alternative look.
And maybe aluminium is easier to fix after a crash? Just bend it back? I'm not going to use it for FPV, so I don't think the little extra weight will matter? Maybe make it a lit more stable? I'm planing to cover the aluminium with clear packing tape, so I don't get any short cut. Also the KK board will be mounted on non conducting dampers, so I think I'm in the clear there? I hope the aluminium will not give me any trouble with the RX. Time will show.
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windfou on May 19, 2013
best quad idea ever!
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H-Quad Folding project