How to build the lightest microquadcopter 3-inch "2-stack" frame ? (part 1)
This is part 1 of a 3" Ardupilot micro quadcopter build, starting by making a custom light frame able to carry all of the electronics and cameras of a full fledge drone:
-A F7 Ardupilot (ChibiOS) autopilot
-a FPV camera
-Video live tx 5.8Ghz
-Full HD video recording (1920x1080 30 fps)
-Mavlink radio telemetry (real time telemetry on ground control station)
-GPS + Compass
-2S 3300 mah Li-Ion battery for long flight time (to be tested)
The frame is designed to carry two full 30x30 stacks (and has screwholes for 20x20 stacks).
The frame has a protective top plate, so is not only a unprotected base plate exposing the electronics.
This custom frame is a composite made of plywood, carbon fiber elements and balsa/carbon fiber sandwich plate.Such a composite allows to get a much lighter frame than its equivalent in full carbon with the same, if not better rigidity.
The result is a frame with 50% of the weight of the lightest two stacks 3" carbon fiber frame that exist on the market at this time.
A part 2 will be cover the microcopter build.