Project Potato (J. edu. drone project)

[Julius]

Hi, I started ordering components for a drone that is close to the specs of project Quiver.
It will be a quadcopter. The main goal for me is to get more experience regarding the FC + software and also beeing able to maybe fly some of the attachments that will be developed for project Quiver. This thread will keep track of components+cost and overall progress.

Part	Description	Quantity	Cost per Piece	Total Cost
Integrated propulsion system	Hobbywing X6 Plus	4	$97.00	$388.00
Folding mechanism	For 30mm tube, horizontal folding	4	$20.00	$80.00
Landing gear adapter	For 30mm tube, fixed angle	4	$7.00	$28.00
Motor adapter	For 30mm tube	4	$13.80	$55.20
Carbon fiber tube	30x28mm	5m	$32.00	$160.00
Mateksys H743-SLIM V3	Flight Controller	1	$100.00	$100.00
Mateksys FCHUB-12S X-Class PDB V2	PDB	1	$30.00	$30.00
Mateksys AP Periph DroneCAN M10Q-3100 GNSS	Compass and GNSS	1	$80.00	$80.00
Mateksys mR24-30-TX mLRS MAVLink 2.4GHz TX Module KIT	MAVLink Transmitter/Receiver	1	$35.00	$35.00
Benewake TF03-100	Lidar 100m with CAN and UART	1	$250.00	$250.00
Raspberry Pi	Raspberry Pi 5 8GB + active cooling fan	1	$90.00	$90.00
E-Switch (replaces contactor)	SafetyPowerSwitch 70V 140/280A	1	$130.00	$130.00
Battery	TATTU-3.5-HV-30000mAh-35C-53.2V-14S1P	1	$908.00	$908.00
Battery connector PCB	PCB that connects directly to TATTU battery molex connector	1	$40.00	$40.00
Quick release for attachement	Quick Release Clip with PCB Board	1	$42.50	$42.50
Drone aluminum structure parts	Laser cutted aluminum parts	1	$100.00	$100.00
Bare PCB from JLCPCB (5 pieces in package)	Main PCB without parts	1	$100.00	$98.00
PCB Parts	Parts for the main PCB	1	$116.00	$116.00
3D printed battery slider	3D printed battery slider	2	$10.00	$20.00
3D printed landing gear adapter	3D printed landing gear adapter	4	$10.00	$40.00
3D printed PCB adapter	3D printed PCB adapter	1	$20.00	$20.00
3D printed power comparment adapter	3D printed power comparment adapter	1	$20.00	$20.00
3D printed lid	3D printed lid	1	$20.00	$20.00
Transparent lid window	Transparent lid window	1	$20.00	$20.00
Lid hinge	Lid hinge	2	$7.50	$15.00
ON/OFF switch with 3d printed case	ON/OFF switch with 3d printed case	1	$10.00	$10.00
Additional screws and rivets	Additional screws and rivets	1	$10.00	$10.00
Total				$2905.70

Optional parts for different configuration:

Part	Description	Quantity	Cost per Piece	Total Cost
Motor	FRC - Heavyload 62-15	4	$62.00	$248.00
ESC	VESC50A V4 from FRCHOBBY	4	$85.00	$340.00
Propeller	T-Motor CPH MF2211 (CW+CC")	2	$60.00	$120.00

EDIT 07.11.24: I decided to use a horizontal folding mechanism for the motor arms. I also ordered some 30mm landing gear adapters, 30mm motor adapters and 4m of 30x28mm carbon fiber tube. I dont think i need the whole 4m, but since the cad model is not made yet i want to have it in stock during assembly. I also ordered a set of Hobbywing X6 Plus for testing compared to the other configuration.

EDIT 15.11.24: Added FC, PDB, Compass/GNSS, Transmitter/Receiver (on drone)

EDIT 25.11.24: Added Lidar

EDIT 02.12.24: Added RPI, Battery, Quick release, Aluminum parts, PCB & Parts; +picture post#1

[errrks.eth]

I think this is a good idea. My only suggestion is to submit it as a grant to the GBC when you have a good definition and projected cost!

[Julius]

Parts that arrived:

1. Motor

2.ESC

3. Propeller

4. Folding mechanism

5. Landing gear adapter

6. Motor adapter

7. 30mm carbon fiber tube

8. Mateksys H743-SLIM V3

9. Mateksys FCHUB-12S X-Class PDB V2

10. Mateksys AP Periph DroneCAN M10Q-3100 GNSS

11. Mateksys mR24-30-TX mLRS MAVLink 2.4GHz TX Module KIT

12. Benewake TF03-100 Lidar

13. RPI 5 with Fan

14. E-Switch

15. Battery

16. Quick release

17. Structure aluminum parts

18. …

Optional:

Hobbywing X6 Plus

[errrks.eth]

What happened to 2. ? lol

[deltaecho]

ESC is begging for a 3D print housing with cooling fins attached…

[Julius]

Its the damn automatic numbering

[Julius]

This Design will be a little bit different then what we discussed for Quiver.
Main difference is that the battery will be under the main frame, getting the cg as low as possible.

It will feature:

• Main PCB for all components (FC, PDB, Transmitter, GNSS & Compass, connector for equipment adapter, power supply, power switch, battery connector, RPI, mobile connection 4G/5G etc.)
• Slide in battery with connector (no need to attach wire)
• Aluminum sheets and beams riveted together to create strong frame
• Quick connect adapter on the bottom for equipment (Over the time it will be the same one Quiver uses)
• Foldable motor beams
• Motor beams and landing gear are both 30mm diameter tube

[KBM]

Did I just heard potato

[Julius]

@sleety I can’t edit the fist post anymore. Is it limited to 4 edits? Or is it a time thing? I was doing several edits, because i added components over the time

[KBM]

Yes I think so, I guess there’re some default limitations for the main post?

[sleety]

It seems that it has a 30 day edit limit. I am trying to fix this

[sleety]

You should be able to edit now

[Julius]

Indeed, thank you for the quick help

[Julius]

I will update the overall weight and parts weight in this post:

Structure Part

Structure Part	Weight (g)	Quantity	Total Weight (g)
Top plate 2mm alu	410	1	410
Bottom plate 2mm alu	419	1	419
Small square tube 40x40x2 alu	102	2	204
Small square tube 40x40x2 alu	237	1	237
Sides rectangle 30x100x2 alu	271	2	542
Attachment plate 4mm alu	587	1	587
Folding arm adapter	149	4	596
CF motor beam	47	4	188
CF landing leg beam	52	4	208
CF landing leg bottom beam	65	2	130
Landing leg adapter top (aluminum)	47	4	188
Landing leg adapter bottom (printed)	46.5	4	186
Rivets	-	-	-
Screws	-	-	-
Paint	-	-	-
Total			3895

Main Assembly

Main Assembly	Weight (g)	Quantity	Total Weight (g)
Structure	3895	1	3895
Motor+Propeller+ESC+Cable	710	4	2840
Battery	11400	1	11400
Battery connector	100	1	100
PCB Assembly	500	1	500
3D printed lid	215	1	215
Lidar	77	1	77
Total			19027

Remaining Paypload Capacity: 5,973 kg

[Julius]

FEM of Potatoe V1 with 50 kg Force

• 12.5 kg per motor beam
• counter force (50kg) at attachment plate

Result: No problem and no abnormalities

Safety:

Displacement:

Sress:

Stress Detail:

[Julius]

Small puzzle for the holidays

I wish you a great holiday season and a happy New Year

[Julius]

Went pretty well!

[Julius]

3D printed T-shape tube adapter for the landing gear

[KBM]

This may help as concept reference

Onshape

[Julius]

Current state of the project:

Things still to do:

• design and print the main lid
• print the small lid that goes in the front over the fuse and connector
• wire up and configurate the FC
• configuration and attachment of other devices like RPI, lidar, camera etc.

At least a first motor test will be done next week I think.