Autonomous Mapping Plane Project

[timid depot]

This is going to be my page going forward where I keep semi-updated images of the project.
Previous update messages:
Update 1: #✈️fixed-wings message
Update 2: #✈️fixed-wings message

Since that updated I have gotten all my electronics, and have mostly configured them, at least as much I can without building the plane.
I've spent many hours on Fusion360 modifying and making small changes.
I made a cardboard prototype of the fuselage at 50% scale with success and made relevant changes to the design.

I have also switched to ELRS with a Happymodel ES24TX Pro and a Beta FPV Super D. The setup for ELRS is so much easier than legacy stuff (FrSky).

I am about to start the production of the actual plane, just finalising DXF drawings for laser cutting.
I have attached various screenshots of the model in its current state (19/6/24). I am yet to make one major update to the design, I will widen the fuselage body by 25% to better accommodate wiring electronics and for ease of mounting the camera inside, as previously it was a very snug fit.

Still yet to model electronics holders which I will either 3D print or fabricate from wood. Still seeking inspiration from what others have used.

As always open to any feedback from anyone 🙂
Cheers.

@weary coral @terse topaz Just let me know if you dont want update notifications at any point btw 😅

[terse topaz]

I would still like to recieve them!

[river vale]

What're you using for mapping?

[weary coral]

Following

[timid depot]

Ardupilot

Sony a6400

WebODM for stitching

[timid depot]

^

[timid depot]

Its a senior year engineering project to build the plane.

[timid depot]

what do you mean the vintage design?

im designing it for ease of building and its what I drew up on paper

[timid depot]

4/8/24
Laser cut foamboard parts and folded wings. Haven't glued anything yet as I'm unsure whether to route servos and stuff before gluing, same with fuselage components.

Still unsure how I'm gonna mount all the electronics so that they are secure but can be removed relatively easily. Open to ideas lol.

At the point where anything I do is gonna be permanent and want to think over each step before I do it to avoid mistakes.

I've already configured my electronics as much as I can before mounting them, my motor thought it was a servo on the bench and tried to auto level the plane which was not ideal. Hence why I want to mount electronics before finalising configuration.

Always open to feedback and ideas 🙂

@terse topaz

[terse topaz]

Looks really professionally cut, I like the black color aswell.

For electronics, that's indeed a hard topic. I suggest cutting out wood which fits inside the frame to mount the electronics, or carbon fiber if you wanna go expensive.

Those last 2 pics, what exactly is that?

I assume those are the wings but they do not look aerodynamic

[primal pond]

Yeah, if is thats gonna be the wing, im not if is it gonna fly

[terse topaz]

They look like they block more air than actually lift it

[primal pond]

Exactly, plus stiffening might be needed

[terse topaz]

I wouldn't be worried about that for now honestly

[primal pond]

Hm hm, step by step, but aside the wings its looks clean work to me

[terse topaz]

It indeed looks nice and clean

Everything has been cut out well

And just looks nice overall

[timid depot]

The last pic is left and right wing sections which will be glued at an angle to the main wing to create the tip dihedral of the wing

I modeled the airfoil shape after the clark y airfoil and used a youtube guide of someone else who made a very similar looking wing, im hoping it will fly. I can send a link to the youtube vid later today.

Thanks for all the feedback as always.

[timid depot]

oh yeah the wings arent glued down yet so the angle of the front edge is steeper in those pics

the top bend aligns with the marks on the inside of the flat bottom its a bit hard to see tho

https://youtu.be/PBnucU3jc4s?si=tu9e3aH1eAeppm58&t=263 the wing shape i tried to copy in fusion360, same sorta thing just a tighter front bend i believe.

[terse topaz]

Ahh I see, good to know

[timid depot]

wood the size of the entire inside of the fuselage or just the size of the electronics?

[terse topaz]

Just to mount the electronics and you can use glue to glue those wood pieces onto your frame. I personally go way over the top and just designed myself some custom carbon plates and have them cutout proffesionally by a company. But thats the expensive and long route. Wood is easy to work with and ive seen it being used a lot on foam planes to mount everything on.

[timid depot]

ok easy and just screw electronics into the wood or like zipties?

[terse topaz]

For your flight controller, I would definitely drill holes into the wood and mount it using screws and gummies. The rest works fine with zipties, double sided tape, straps, etc..

Here some example pics of wood being used

[timid depot]

ah ok, i hope the screws which came with the fc are long enough, they seem to be made so that that bottom is very flush

[timid depot]

Just some build photos, setting up ardupilot and then hopefully flying within the next 2 weeks, hoping for less wind

[timid depot]

The finished build, broke 2 props tryna fly, crashed a couple times made some small repairs, due date for the project was today but didn't get to the point of really flying it, hopefully with some more test flights on less windy days I'll succeed 😁

[primal pond]

Is it balanced out well?

[timid depot]

cg is roughly under the wing but I think it needs more weight in the front

it's towards the back two third of the wing at the moment so probably needs to be a bit more forward

[weary coral]

Definitely needs to be more forward

Honestly looks like a small motor for a plane that size

I could be wrong though, hard to tell

[primal pond]

Plus you need to make the wing more fixed, idk about the weight but if its wiggle midair its became uncontrollable

[weary coral]

If you're referring to the rubber band mount of the wing, that might actually be okay. That wasn't a very uncommon to see once upon a time in rc airplanes

[primal pond]

I know, its pretty usual, and easy, but it can cause problem

[timid depot]

I figured better to have wing that won't damage fuselage when it crashes rather than using a spar or notch that's made to shear off in a crash