The Grant Application is submitted simultaneously with this post.
Brief
Title of the project:
Brush Bullet Applicator Initial Modeling Modification For Drones
Brief project description:
Thomas got a set of herbicide pellet delivery device which called Brush Pod. That was originally designed for manned-helicopter mounting. We plan to use the same 3D printing method to modify it to fit the multi-purpose drone mount.
Why do you think this work is necessary?
This may be the first payload of our multi-purpose drone to be tested;
Other structural engineering personnel are currently too busy for modeling this.
Is there any related work this builds upon?
Further refinement and continuous updates of the modified Brush Pod.
Will the results of this project be entirely open source?
Yes.
If this grant is successfully completed, how does it help the pod involved?
Providing feasibility testing for further precise 3D printing parts;
Reduce the use of machined fasteners in such design;
Further align-up the workflow within Onshape software.
If this grant is successfully completed, how does it help Arrow?
Faster progress to the test flight of multi-purpose drones and the trial operation of vegetation control services;
Gain experience in the actual grant application process.
The first version of models are already done in yesterday and ready for slice, print, assemble and test. I will keep going on for some auxiliary work such as printing materials selection and instructions for use.
Contact me if there’s any problem during the print and install procedure. Please love me.
Link to Discord forum post of Brush Bullet Applicator:
For the cylinder and arm installation, we can just use same screws from the original device.
For the lid installation, just fit it on the cylinder and the locking mechanism.
For the hatch installation, prepare the latch to the outside of the lid opening, align both slider to the teeth edge of the lid, push to insert the hatch. Then push harder on the small center handle to get through the first locking mechanism. This should fully done the installation.
To close the hatch, we can use those auxiliary handle on each side to pull it back. Then pull any handle harder to get through the locking mechanism, but this is designed to be easier than opening.
If we need to remove the whole hatch for repair or replacement, we need to press it upward from the inside of the cylinder, then it can be slide out and removed. Or we can just pull it out super aggressively.
Cut away view of the locking mechanism on the hatch, this should help the understanding.
KBM, this is a great looking model. I have a few thoughts for possible changes to the next draft.
In our field testing with the brush bullet model, we have had some trouble with the revolving feeder. On occasion, it will stop with one of the channels over the hole. When flying, this causes several jellybeans to fall out. I think a screw auger might be a better solution here.
I really like the mounting bar idea. I wonder if there could be a way to make the attachment tool-less using some kind of keyed hole to lock in?
So far I think the origin device is actually a bad design for lower cylinder and revolving feeder. I can further improve my design for the upper parts, but modifying lower parts maybe won’t better than making a whole new design… For example, simply add a tool-less locking mechanism will significantly increase the width of the arm and total weight.
But I think we can make it more easier to maintenance by using half numbers of screws on current side-mounts, and the structure integrity should still safe.
To 1. I was thinking maybe it makes more sense to use a stepper motor? That way you can accurately control how much it turns and it would not go over several holes during one activation.
To 2. There is already the quick release connector on top of the mounting bar. So if you want to remove the container from the drone, you can do it very quickly without tools.
I would like to use a recycling servo with double bulkhead door to replace the original design, that can ensure there’s only one pellet come out for each triggering…