Nanocopter Frames

[mj666]

Some Nanoquadcopter frame kits are available on eBay: http://www.ebay.de/itm/Carbon-Nanoquadc ... 4630e33aac

[mj666]

Please let me know if there is also interest to have the NanoHexa and NanoOctocopter kits on eBay.

[Superfubario]

Here are some news again. Last days I finished an new NanoHexa and an new NanoOctocopter build with an new AlienWii prototype FC. Here you can find some more details:
http://alienwii.com/alienwii-brushed-stm32-octo-fc/
I was working with Alienquads over the last 2 months and this is the actual result. The controller can run with 32bit Cleanflight or Baseflight firmware. Even if the standard Naze32 firmware is running without problems for best results an slightly updated firmware version should be used to support all feature of the controller. Cleanflight has the required updates already implemented as a separate target (ALIENWIIF1) since a few days. We are planning some more improvements here. Please stay tuned.

Cant wait...i check alienwii.com daily!!

[mj666]

We are getting closer.

[mj666]

Some more kits and spare motor mounts are available on eBay now:

http://www.ebay.de/sch/michaelj1963/m.h ... 7675.l2562

[mj666]

Build an new Nano Hexacopter today with CL-0820-17 motors and an AlienWii F3 prototype. Some more intensive test will start here now. I will not show pictures of the Nanocopter since its locking similar to my other Hexa's. But here is a picture of the AlienWii F3 prototype. Cleanflight is also already supporting this FC as ALIENWIIF3 target.

[mj666]

Found some new batteries for my Nano Hexa and Octocopter builds. Really cheap, thick wires, high capacity, only 4g more (28g) than the 950mAh Turnigy Nano-Tech batteries (24g). Please see the pictures below. Let see how the quality is (usually very high at this store) and how long they will last. Half of my 950mAh batteries already going bad. Here is the link:

http://www.mylipo.de/Lipo-1100mAh-37V-25C-50C

[mj666]

Here are the settings I use for the Nanohexacopter for testing PID controller in the three different profiles. I usualy fly them with profile 1 or 0. Please be aware the AlienWii32 firmware builds are using some different defaults from normal CF builds. For flying an Octocopter with the AlienWii32 you need to change first line to "mixer custom". The preconfigured custom mixer is taking care on easy motor wiring for the AlienWii32 F1/F3 FC's.

Code: Select all

mixer HEX6X
set spektrum_sat_bind = 9
aux 0 0 1 1700 2100
aux 1 1 0 1300 1700
aux 2 2 0 1700 2100
aux 3 20 3 1700 2100
profile 1
aux 0 0 1 1700 2100
aux 1 1 0 1300 1700
aux 2 2 0 1700 2100
aux 3 20 3 1700 2100
set pid_controller = 5
set p_pitch = 40
set p_roll = 40
set i_yaw = 60
set yaw_rate = 20
profile 2
aux 0 0 1 1700 2100
aux 1 1 0 1300 1700
aux 2 2 0 1700 2100
aux 3 20 3 1700 2100
set pid_controller = 0
profile 1
save

[mj666]

Nano Octo- and Hexacopter Kit's are available again:

http://www.ebay.de/sch/michaelj1963/m.h ... 7675.l2562

[mj666]

Here is some information for my new AutoQuad M4 build. It's fitting the Quadcopter frame quite well. I used the usual foam pads for mounting. Had its maiden flight last night in my living room. Some outside flying will follow. The GPS lock with the dipole is quite fast outside (less then 30s) after an initial sat fix. I build the GPS and RX antenna's from a single 20cm u-fl expansion callable (2 u.fl plugs). Some more detail can be found also here:

http://forum.autoquad.org/viewtopic.php ... 651#p31651

[mj666]

Nano Quadcopter frames and spare motor mounts are available again now:

http://www.ebay.de/sch/michaelj1963/m.h ... 7675.l2562

The AlienWii32 F3 is going to a final testing phase. Recently we have added battery monitoring and an buck-boost power converter for more save operation to our prototypes. Likely this will be the final production design.

[Teckos]

Bravo, very nice successfull project!

I don't mean to hijack your thread but after reading it you seem to have the answers I'm looking for
To make it short, I received a Revell Hexatron (brushed, 2S, builtin ESC) as a gift and the thing flies like whale with the bundled TX. So I was thinking about spektrumizing it and use my DX8. My goal is to keep the stock motors and frame.

I actually have a Mini MWC (2S) coming that I ordered by mistake (had to get a Naze32 that supports 3S for my quad) so i was thinking I could use that FC on the Hexatron with some little tweaking.
I would have returned the Mini MWC and get an AlienWii hexa with builtin brushed ESC but it works under 1S if I'm not mistaken.

So first, do you think the Mini MWC can do the job? I found an answer on RCG telling me that a simple #define brushed_32khz_PWM command will set the FC for brushed.
Second, would it be possible to reuse the builtin ESCs from the original FC by wiring the Mini MWC' signals to the FETs?
Third, about the power distribution would it be : direct power to the RX and to the FETs ?

Thanks for your anwsers!

[mj666]

The Micro WMC or even an classic AlienWii would be an much better fit. In general what you are asking should be doable but depends on you electronics and soldering skills. Since you are asking here I think it would be better to go with an more standard solution The Mini WMC needs at lest 5V operating voltage. The micro motors in Miniquads are usually designed for 3,7v (1S) only.

[Teckos]

Thanks for the answer. The Hexatron is actually a brushed Hex running under 2S so the Mini WMC should be good. Now that I know it's doable the funny part is to find where to bypass the original FC to only use its ESCs

[mj666]

My new 110mm Nano Quadcopterframes for brushless motors are arrived. See pictures below. I plan to build them with the flowing components.

Kiss 12A ESC's
ADH30S-6100 brushless motors
AlienWii32 brushless FC
LemonRX DSMX satellite
Mylipo 500mAh 2S 30/60C batteries

The motor mounting holes should fit various mini brushless motors. The frames are made from 2mm carbon. Please stay tuned.

[mj666]

Last days I finished my first NanoQuad brushless build:

NanoQuad carbon 110mm brushless frame
Baby AlienWii32 brushless
Lemon RX DSMX satellite.
Kiss 12A ESC
AEOrc ADH30S-6100 motors
RCLogger Propeller (RC EYE One S)
Mylipo 500mAh 2S 30/60 Battery

I put the ESC's and the FC in layers in the middle of the quad. Running latest Cleanflight 1.9.0 ALIENWIIF1 development build with the filters implemented by BorisB and G-Tune. I have done the maiden flight today but there is still some more tuning required.

[mj666]

I have created a new variant of the brushless frame. Also I have updated the design of the Quad and Octocopter frames to be more robust. The arms of this frames are now a 2mm wider. They are the same shape as in the pictures below now.

[mj666]

AlienWii is now Alienflight. Some of Lance's designs are public now and we hope there will be someone catching up with this designs and will get them into production. Also some skilled electronics guys likely will be able to build them by themselves.

http://alienflight.com/

[Pedro14755]

mj666 There has been quite a lot of excitement in the quad community at the release of these files by Lance. A good friend of mine is only a day or so away from having his first Classic Narrow 5v Brushed FC in the air where it rightfully belongs

There is quite a bit of discussion on this topic among the members in this thread at the http://community.micro-motor-warehouse.com/t/open-source-alienflight-fc/178 as well as the AWFC Fan Club on Facebook.

It is extremely generous of Lance to share his intellectual property like this, under the Creative Commons Share-Alike 4.0 and I for one am extremely grateful for this gift to our community. Also a big thank you to you too Michael for all your hard work in helping to get Cleanflight implemented in these later boards I am still working on a version of the original Narrow Classic 3.3v FC and should have my boards back over the next two weeks from Iteadstudio. Here is a 3D render of what my board should look like in case you are interested. http://imgur.com/ia7o7Yu

[Pedro14755]

I got my boards, which I call the PedroWii_CC to celebrate Lance's generous release of his files under Creative Commons attribution, up and flying thanks to my good friend Adam madman1412 http://community.micro-motor-warehouse. ... fc/178/217

[mj666]

This looks nice.

We are actually focus more on the 32bit based flight controllers. There is a lot going on with the 32bit software (CleanFlight, BetaFlight, RaceFlight) during the last months and we like to leverage this improvements. We just released 4 new designs recently. There is also more to come hardware wise in the near future.

[Pedro14755]

Thank you for your kind words

Yes I also look forward to building a stm32 base FC, but seeing as this was the first file that Lance released as only a schematic, at that stage I had no choice other than to develop a board file from it with my friend madman1412's invaluable help. Aside from this, these 8 bit cards hold a fond place in a lot of guys hearts.

The second release, Classic-Narrow-5V, F3-Hexa-Brushed and F3-Octo-Brushed were released as Eagle brd and sch files with the gerbers being on file at OSH Park, and of course being able to be generated from the board file quite easily.

Now this latest release, despite what it said on the last version of the site, now only has the gerbers which, although I am not complaining, is a shame seeing as both the schematic and board files can greatly aid in the diagnosis and general understanding of how the boards work. But beggars can't be choosers and I think, as I have repeatedly stated, that this is an extremely generous gift by Lance to the community and also by yourself Michael, seeing that no doubt, you have put in countless hours getting the boards operating on and incorporated into Cleanflight / Raceflight, and no doubt a lot of other work to which we are not privy. Thank you to both of you great guys and we all look forward to seeing what lies ahead for Alienflight.

Pedro

[mj666]

Please wait a couple of more days the AlienFlight site is still not 100% completed yet after the technical issues. Stay tuned.

BTW: The schematics of the newer boards is not really much different to the previous releases.

[Pedro14755]

Sorry to trouble you again Michael but the site now says that the project has been discontinued and you seen to have stopped posting on the thread you started on RCGroups. Is that the end for AlienFlight, I do hope that this is not the case

[dominicclifton]

@MJ666 - yeah! I'm wondering what happened to the site too? What's happening?

[mj666]

It has taken some time to resolve the problems. Now we really on the way back and the project survived. There is an announcement in the RCG thread:

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost ... stcount=42

[techpages]

Since a while I have a Blade Nano QX which makes a lot of fun in the house if you are not able to fly outside. This inspired me to a small project and I started to develop few durable Nanocopter frames. Beside of FC’s from industrial multicopters like the Nano QX, Ladybird and many others I found a very nice FC’s at Hobby King “Micro MWC” and “Mini MWC”. Both FC’s already contain a Spektrum compliant DSM2 receiver and the Micro version has already 4 brushed ESC’s. Also search for "CARTE CONTROLEUR / RX DSM2 POUR MICRO QUADCOPTERE CORELESS" where you will find another interesting FC. This FC's are ideal for the Nanocopter project. A very good selection of motors can be found at Micro Motor Warehouse. Actually I have designed 3 different Nano Frames (Quad, Hexa, Okto). The frames will be made from 2mm carbon. The motor mounts will be 3D printed and are available for tree different motor sizes (6, 7 and 8.5mm). Please see pictures in the flowing post for getting an idea. Parts for the 0 series of the Quadcopter and the different motor mounts are already in production and should arrive next days for an initial fitting tests. If there will be some interest in the community I would do a larger series after some initial test. Please let me know what you think about this and if there is interest. My actual estimate for a quad frame would about 25-30€. For the Hexa and the Octo it will be more. Final prices will also depend on the number of units for the series. There is also a similar project in the RC Groups forum if you search for “Vulkanette” you will find it. This Project also gave me some inspiration.

Hello, can I get the source code of your nano hex for arduino pro mini (328p)???
If you can't, can you give me a resource?

[mj666]

I answerd this already some days ago in an PM to you:

The Hexacopter is running Cleanflight with an AfroMini32 or actually with AlienWii/AlienFlight32 flight controller prototypes. The related configuration can be found in the same thread but be aware this is for an older version of the firmware and may require additional tuning for the latest version. I was not flying the small copter during summer.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=4893&start=50#p61702

Hello, can I get the source code of your nano hex for arduino pro mini (328p)???
If you can't, can you give me a resource?

[mj666]

I have done some flying and tuning last days with the latest BetaFlight build with my F3 Octocopter. BetaFlight is supporting AlienFlight controllers now directly. With the next release the hex files will be also published on the release page like for other supported targets. We expect the same for CleanFlight soon. Here is the recent example configuration:

Code: Select all

mixer custom
feature VBAT
set gyro_sync = ON
set i2c_overclock = ON
set spektrum_sat_bind = 9
rxfail 3 h
aux 0 0 1 1700 2100
aux 1 1 0 1300 1700
aux 2 2 0 1700 2100
aux 3 20 3 1700 2100
aux 4 22 2 1700 2100
set pid_controller = MWREWRITE
set p_pitch = 20
set p_roll = 20
set p_yaw = 60
set roll_rate = 30
set pitch_rate = 30
set yaw_rate = 30
profile 1
aux 0 0 1 1700 2100
aux 1 1 0 1300 1700
aux 2 2 0 1700 2100
aux 3 20 3 1700 2100
aux 4 22 2 1700 2100
set pid_controller = LUX
set p_pitchf =  0.900
set p_rollf =  0.900
set p_yawf =  4.000
set roll_rate = 30
set pitch_rate = 30
set yaw_rate = 30
profile 2
aux 0 0 1 1700 2100
aux 1 1 0 1300 1700
aux 2 2 0 1700 2100
aux 3 20 3 1700 2100
aux 4 22 2 1700 2100
profile 0
save


This is not yet an perfect tune configuration but already flying quite well. At the moment the is still a bug in the compile firmware wich let PID controller selection via CLI fail. This can be set via the configurator fro now. This problem should be solved till the next release. An related PR with the bug fix is already done. If someone wants to compile the firmware himself her is the link to the fixed version:

https://github.com/AlienWiiBF/betaflight/tree/CLI_Fix

this link will get invalid if the fix is merged with the BetaFlight master and you can compile from there or even get the released hex file at that point of time.

Here is the same for Cleanflight:

https://github.com/MJ666/cleanflight/bl ... lightF3_V2

For Cleanfligth you also can use the latest release AlienWii F3 hex files directly out of the CF configurator. They are fully compatible with the released AlienFlight F3 controllers. Also the release candidates are working. They only still not support the Gyro interrupt.

[Mark4]

Hi I was searching MicroWii thread on RCG to hook up a BT to my MicroWii for a microquad build and found the link to this thread. I have a micro octo in the works,parts on the way, (frames, FETS, Quanum MW FC and a Multiflite FC, 8.5mm X4 stockers will upgrade to MMW's once the development phase is done and I have more money) but I hadn't found any build info for a micro octo, but here it is by good fortune. Thanks in advance to all the contributors. Awesome thread now to go back and read it. I a novice on the subject but have half a dozen custom builds done so far, and all successful. I've used a variety of FC's and associated GUI's but I like MW the best, It was a bit daunting at first (especially being a total computer ignoramus) but now that I have a drop of experience I like the flexibility of MW over the other systems. A little more to learn at first but it apply's to more than just the multirotor world. Well worth the effort. Thanks again to all the contributes.

[mj666]

Here are two new members of my fleet. They are using the latest generation of the AlienFlight controllers. The quadcopter is using the F4 based AlienFlight:

http://alienflight.com/f4-brushed/

and the hexacopter is using the new AlienFlight F3 V2:

http://alienflight.com/f3-brushed-hexa-v2/

Both already fly quite well. I will publish the setting next days if i have finalized tuning.

I also have two new brushless builds in preparation. One will also be F4 based.

[Pedro14755]

The AlienFlight F3's team really well with your frames mj666

[mj666]

This was the ultimate goal to have something wich fits well together.

[mj666]

Thanks to Lance I have an new brushless build. My previous one released the magic smoke before I could even enjoy flying this much. Likely I had an short somewhere in my nice stack of electronics and did not rebuild it. The new copter is using an AlienFligth F4 Brushless Hexa prototype http://alienflight.com/f4-hexa-brushless/ with the RaceFlight firmware and Kiss 12A ESC's. The weight is 42g and 60g including the battery.

Im really impressed about the F4 brushless. This is by far the best performing small copter I have ever flown. I compared against my brushed builds and the Super X. The power of the brushed copters even with CL-0820-17 motors is much less than the brushless. The F4 brushless is really flying like my bigger copters. Its very agile and completely locked in. Like flying on rails. Motors and ESC's stay absolutely cool. This is an sign of high efficiency. With the 300mAh Nano-Tech batteries I was flying more than 4min and needed to charge back about 250 mAh.

Finally I decided to rebuild my other brushless copter and also have designed an new 130mm frame for DYS BE1104 motors and HQProp 3x3 propellers.

An friend of mine also milled me some poly carbonate frames with my design. This looks to be some nice alternative to carbon. Not as stiff but likely more crash resistant. I will give it an try in one of my next build or if I need to replace an frame.

Please see some pictures below.

[likevvii]

Your work is so amazing and clean!
I will always be checking this post for updates.
Do you have a facebook or other social media where I can follow you?

Do you know anyone who sells the already made versions of the FC? I want to try to make an octo.

I would definitely try to solder the components myself, but I don't know where I can buy all the parts in 1 place.

[mj666]

As I already mentioned the last brushless build was done by Lance. I don't really use an social media account. Busy enough with other things. Actually I don't know a source for buying ready made FC's. This may change in the future. You can check the link below. There are a lot of people active building this FC's and can advice.

http://community.micro-motor-warehouse. ... ght-fc/178

[techpages]

How did you arrange the motor configuration in the quad config octocopter? for example: front left motor> spins right; front right motor> spins left, like that...

And did you make a nano hex with micro MWC? If yes how did you manage 6 outputs?
What is the mosfet you used for running 2 motors parallel for the octo?
What is the length of the quad config octo frame?
Thanks for any help...

[mj666]

The motors of each group are turning in the same direction like on an quadcopter. Just both motors running in parallel. This octocopter is not working very well and I get brown outs of the ATMega. This is very temperature depending. In this case the motors will only start shortly and the FC is rebooting. Likely the fuses can be programmed differently but I don't have the equipment to do so.

All my hexacopters running 32bit controllers.

I have used 6,3A FET's for the Micro MWC like I did for my other builds.

"What is the length of the quad config octo frame?" I don't understand what you mean? The diagonal distance between motors is about 156mm.

[mj666]

Here are some pictures from my latest build using the new brushless frame with the center platform. The technical specs have not change from the last build except it is 4g more heavy . The AUW is 64g now. Next days I also planning to complete an similar build with an AlienFlight F1 prototype.

[Pedro14755]

Congrats on a great looking setup there mj666. Is that gorgeous frames one of your designs and are they for sale please.

Also any word on the possible release of the AlienFlight brushless FC's please

[mj666]

If there is more interest I can make the frames available like the brushed frames. This frames may make most sense in combination with an brushed Alienflight FC. The 130mm can be used in combination with any standard FC (30.5x30.5mm mounting holes). viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6456&sid=da30839aa705c661a58b7fb58742d6e6#p67350

Here are the details of this build:

NanoQuad Carbon 110mm brushless frame with top plate
AlienFlight F4 brushless FC
Lemon RX DSMX satellite.
Kiss 12A ESC v1.1
AEOrc ADH30S-6100 motors
Eachine CG022 propeller
Turnigy Nano-Tech 300mah 2S 45~90C Battery

For the brushed AlienFlight FC's we are still do some testing and planning some minor updates. We also investigate some options if we can get some of our new designs into production. This is another reason why this new designs are not released as open source for now.

UPDATE: The version with the mounting holes is 135mm now to get a bit more clearance for the propellers. It was working but a bit tight with the 130mm frame (only e few 1/10mm).

[Pedro14755]

Thank you for the update mj666.

As you and Lance may have seen there has been a big uptake of people building AlienFlight FC's and predominantly the 32bit versions.

Thank you both

[mj666]

We are really happy to see the members of community are enjoying to build this FC's. This was one of our goals. We continue to investigate to get an better supply of the AlienFlight FC's likely with more variants. I hope this efforts will work out soon.

I personally believe with the availability of cheap high quality brushless motors many users will also go to small brushless builds. The performance which could be reached here will never be seen with an brushed copter. My tiny brushless build flys like an larger copter. Also the lifetime of the brushed motors is limited and before the motor dies you have an phase of bad flying performance. Lots of experience is needed here to find the dying motor before it fails completly to restore the performance of the copter.

As you can see here in the thread I have two 110mm quadcopter builds with an AlienFlight F4 controller. The only difference is brushed vs. brushless. Even if the brushless build is a bit more heavy the performance is completly incomparable. For sure the brushless will be also more expensive and many user don't want to spend this amount of money into such tiny copter. In my view every additional cent is worth the money to what you get in addition for this.

Im actually preparing to make an small run on the 110, 130 and 135mm brushless frames and see how people will like it. The order is already out to the suppliers but it will take some time before everting will arrive. All this new frames can be used in addition to the AlienFlight brushless FC's with more standard FCs. There are quite some tiny FC's out there wich can be used (PIKO BLX, AfroMini32, Revo F4 Mini, Flip32 Mini, Mini Naze and a few more). Finally the 135mm frame will also take an standard size FC with 30.5x30.5mm mounting pattern. See my 130mm Naze build in the link below. There will be always an individual build effort for each of this FC's.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6456#p67350

Here is an teaser for the new 135mm frame:

[mj666]

The new brushless frames are available. 130mm and 135mm versions are already on eBay. The 110mm frames will follow soon. The kit will contain the frame (2mm carbon), the top plate with AlienFlight graving (1mm carbon) und 5 2x12mm Nylon standoffs and 10 M2 Nylon screws. There are two variants of the top plate available. The frame has mounting holes for a flight controller with 20x20mm distance. The distance of the motor mounting holes will fit for various micro motors (3x 1,4mm in 8mm diameter, 4x1,4mm in 8mm diameter, 2x1.4mm in 8mm diameter und 2x2mm in 10mm diameter).

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=6456#p67682

[mj666]

Finally also the 110mm Frames are available:

http://www.ebay.de/sch/michaelj1963/m.h ... 7675.l2562

[Pedro14755]

Very nice Michael and thank you for making a few available. I will post some pictures of my build with an AlienFlight F3 Hybrib here as soon as I have build the FC and quad. This will be my first brushless build

[Pedro14755]

mj666 I am hoping to build something similar to your build here but using an AlienFlight F3 Hybrid FC. I am having trouble locating the KISS 12A V1.2 ESC's but can get these http://www.rcbits.com.au/content/kiss-esc-2-4s-18a-v12 18A ones at a good price locally. Do you think that they would be suitable both size wise electronically and physically. HobbyKing has the motors http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... 100kv.html which appear to be the correct ones and do these seem to be the Eachine CG022 props http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-CG022-M ... 41259.html Thanks for any advice

[mj666]

Looks to be there some issues for people in the German eBay pages. It is also possible to get this in English:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/michaelj1963/m. ... =12&_rdc=1

[mj666]

Yes this are all the proper components. For sure the 18A Kiss will also work even if it is kind of an overkill and they are more expensive. The size is exactly the same.

mj666 I am hoping to build something similar to your build here but using an AlienFlight F3 Hybrid FC. I am having trouble locating the KISS 12A V1.2 ESC's but can get these http://www.rcbits.com.au/content/kiss-esc-2-4s-18a-v12 18A ones at a good price locally. Do you think that they would be suitable both size wise electronically and physically. HobbyKing has the motors http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... 100kv.html which appear to be the correct ones and do these seem to be the Eachine CG022 props http://www.banggood.com/Eachine-CG022-M ... 41259.html Thanks for any advice

[Pedro14755]

For sure the 18A Kiss will also work even if it is kind of an overkill and they are more expensive. The size is exactly the same.

Thanks mj666, I can get the 18A locally for cheaper than the 12A from Flyduino