Great day for spcopter, recording a video with two of the spanish climbing stars:
These guys really rocks!
More to come.. stay tuned!
Monday, December 5, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
SPCopter progress update
A long time since last update... the team has been very busy with our daily jobs... but we have had some time to continue building and improving new models.
#Juanki has build:
#Juanki has build:
- a hexa with Robbe 2827-35 and 10" props.
- a Y6 with tiny motors KDA 20-50S and 8" props.
- a quad with big arducopter motors and 12" props (crash in the first flight.... bad solders)
Introducing the tiny Y6:
With this small Y6 we enjoy doing some tricks: Flying under a bridge:
Flying around a tree:
#Nio has ordered the Y6 frame from rccarbon and plan to mount his MK3538.... We are really excited about this copter... big thrust and redundancy!
I have build also a hexa but with KDA 20-22L and 10" props. Here are some onboard videos with gopro fixed:
More to come! Stay tuned!
Sunday, May 15, 2011
SPCopter news
An update on SPCopter progress:
More to come. Stay tuned!
- A new family member: "The Round" a 52cm M2M based on round carbon fiber tubes
- Arducopter 2.0 beta is out: we have done some limited testing with tinycopter and also with "The Robbe". There are some big yaw issues that we need to fix
- First looping: @Nio was able to perform some loopings flying in Acro mode with a tinycopter. Unfortunately there are no pictures/video... we will record it next time!
More to come. Stay tuned!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Flying in Easter
@Juanki finished the new SPCopter member "La Perla" and flew it successfully! Some pictures of "La Perla" and "The Robbe" at Aranjuez:
"La Perla"
Frame:
- Arms: Square Aluminum
- Center: Aluminum
- MotorToMotor distance: 40cm
Motors: KDA 20-26M
ESC: Turnigy Plush 18A
Lipo: Turnigy nano-tech 3S2200mah
Props: 8x4
Weight RTF: 925gr
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
"The Robbe"
Frame:
- Arms: Square Aluminum
- Center: Aluminum
- MotorToMotor distance: 50cm
Motors: Robbe Roxxy 2827/35
ESC: Turnigy Plush 25A
Lipo: Turnigy nano-tech 3S3000mah
Props: 10x4.5
Weight RTF: 1.140kg
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
"La Perla"
Frame:
- Arms: Square Aluminum
- Center: Aluminum
- MotorToMotor distance: 40cm
Motors: KDA 20-26M
ESC: Turnigy Plush 18A
Lipo: Turnigy nano-tech 3S2200mah
Props: 8x4
Weight RTF: 925gr
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
"The Robbe"
Frame:
- Arms: Square Aluminum
- Center: Aluminum
- MotorToMotor distance: 50cm
Motors: Robbe Roxxy 2827/35
ESC: Turnigy Plush 25A
Lipo: Turnigy nano-tech 3S3000mah
Props: 10x4.5
Weight RTF: 1.140kg
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Howto start in the multirotor world
There are many friends asking what is the cheapest way to enter in the multi rotor world.
Let's do some numbers based on a quadcopter running multiwii firmware:
1 x Arduino Pro Mini (18,95$)
1 x FTDI programmer (14,95$)
(Sparkfun shipment = 8.94$)
1 x WiiMotionPlus (19.99$)
1 x Nunchuk (19.99$)
1 x Board for connecting all the multiwii stuff (14,95$ + shipment 3$)
You need a radio: the cheap turnigy radio from hobbyking (53,79$ + shipment 17$)
You also need a charger for your batteries:
1 x charger + 1 x power supply (22.99 + 9.99 = 32.98$)
Some common materials for the center plates and arms:
1 x G10 center plate (7$ + shipment 8.46$)
1 x aluminum square tube 12x10mm, 2,82$
Now, you can choose the size of your quadcopter:
TOTAL Medium = 348.29$ (245 euros)
TOTAL Big = 366.78$ (258 euros)
Of course, there are expensive alternatives like replacing the arduino pro mini with a flyduino, replacing the WMP+/Nunchunk with Jussi's FreeFlighImu or using the Diydrones APM/Oilpan.
Note1:
All conversions have been made using dolar-euro rate at 1.42
Note2:
Some users point me to the OpenPilot control board that is also in the 100$ range.
Let's do some numbers based on a quadcopter running multiwii firmware:
1 x Arduino Pro Mini (18,95$)
1 x FTDI programmer (14,95$)
(Sparkfun shipment = 8.94$)
1 x WiiMotionPlus (19.99$)
1 x Nunchuk (19.99$)
1 x Board for connecting all the multiwii stuff (14,95$ + shipment 3$)
You need a radio: the cheap turnigy radio from hobbyking (53,79$ + shipment 17$)
You also need a charger for your batteries:
1 x charger + 1 x power supply (22.99 + 9.99 = 32.98$)
Some common materials for the center plates and arms:
1 x G10 center plate (7$ + shipment 8.46$)
1 x aluminum square tube 12x10mm, 2,82$
Now, you can choose the size of your quadcopter:
- Let's imagine you want to build a tiny size quadcopter (25cm motor to motor)
4 x Motors, Turnigy 1811-2000 (31.96$)
4 x ESC, Plush 6A (29.64$)
1 x Battery, Rhino 610mah (5.29$)
(Hobbyking shipment = 9.99$)
4 x Props, 3-blade 5x3 CW and CCW (3.22$ + shipment 3.56$)
- Maybe you want a medium size quadcopter (40cm motor to motor)
4 x Motors, KDA 20-26M (45,24$)
4 x ESC, 18A (44,2$)
1 x Battery, 2200 mah (16,48$)
4 x Props, 8x4 CW and CCW (4.56$)
(Hobbyking shipment = 14.99$)
- Or you need more power and want a big size quadcopter (60cm motor to motor)
4 x Motors, KDA 20-22L (51.52$)
4 x ESC, Plush 25A (47.24$)
1 x Battery, 3000 mah (24.32$)
4 x Props, 10x6 (2.93$)
(Hobbyking shipment 17.95$)
TOTAL Medium = 348.29$ (245 euros)
TOTAL Big = 366.78$ (258 euros)
Of course, there are expensive alternatives like replacing the arduino pro mini with a flyduino, replacing the WMP+/Nunchunk with Jussi's FreeFlighImu or using the Diydrones APM/Oilpan.
Note1:
All conversions have been made using dolar-euro rate at 1.42
Note2:
Some users point me to the OpenPilot control board that is also in the 100$ range.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Training in Leganes
Nice saturday evening flying in Leganes (@Juanki's land). We exhibited our official t-shirts with custom logo :) Unfortunately @Nio was not available, because he is currently kite surfing in Fuerteventura. We miss his expert flying skills!
Introducing the "SPCopter family":
- The "Tiny", a 28 cm M2M based on JoseJulio's design
- The "Robbe", a 50cm M2M on a X frame
- The "Arducopter", a 60cm M2M based on official arducopter parts on a + frame
After five batteries, some crashes and two broken props, our verdict was unanimous. The winner is the "Robbe". Very good manoeuvrability, wind-resistant and providing a lot of fun!
The "Arducopter" was a little unstable, maybe because of the wind, the + frame or the motor distance and props combination. We need to dig into it!
Stay tuned, next week a new member to our SPCopter family is comming: "La perla" a 40cm M2M X frame.
Photos:
Video:
Specs:
"The Tiny"
Frame:
- Arms: Square Aluminum
- Center: Carbon fiber
- MotorToMotor distance: 28cm
Motors: Turnigy 1811-2000kv
ESC: Turnigy Plush 6A
Lipo: 3S610
Sonar: Maxbotix LV-EZ0
Props: 3-blade 5x3
Weight RTF: 250gr
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
"The Robbe"
Frame:
- Arms: Square Aluminum
- Center: Aluminum
- MotorToMotor distance: 50cm
Motors: Robbe Roxxy 2827/35
ESC: Turnigy Plush 25A
Lipo: Turnigy nano-tech 3S3000mah
Props: 10x4.5
Weight RTF: 1.140kg
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
"The Arducopter"
Frame:Standard Arducopter frame
- MotorToMotor distance: 60cm
Motors: Arducopter Motors 880kv
ESC: Turnigy Plush 25A
Lipo: Turnigy nano-tech 3S3000mah
Props: 12x4.5
Weight RTF: 1.025kg
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
Introducing the "SPCopter family":
- The "Tiny", a 28 cm M2M based on JoseJulio's design
- The "Robbe", a 50cm M2M on a X frame
- The "Arducopter", a 60cm M2M based on official arducopter parts on a + frame
After five batteries, some crashes and two broken props, our verdict was unanimous. The winner is the "Robbe". Very good manoeuvrability, wind-resistant and providing a lot of fun!
The "Arducopter" was a little unstable, maybe because of the wind, the + frame or the motor distance and props combination. We need to dig into it!
Stay tuned, next week a new member to our SPCopter family is comming: "La perla" a 40cm M2M X frame.
Photos:
Video:
Specs:
"The Tiny"
Frame:
- Arms: Square Aluminum
- Center: Carbon fiber
- MotorToMotor distance: 28cm
Motors: Turnigy 1811-2000kv
ESC: Turnigy Plush 6A
Lipo: 3S610
Sonar: Maxbotix LV-EZ0
Props: 3-blade 5x3
Weight RTF: 250gr
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
"The Robbe"
Frame:
- Arms: Square Aluminum
- Center: Aluminum
- MotorToMotor distance: 50cm
Motors: Robbe Roxxy 2827/35
ESC: Turnigy Plush 25A
Lipo: Turnigy nano-tech 3S3000mah
Props: 10x4.5
Weight RTF: 1.140kg
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
"The Arducopter"
Frame:Standard Arducopter frame
- MotorToMotor distance: 60cm
Motors: Arducopter Motors 880kv
ESC: Turnigy Plush 25A
Lipo: Turnigy nano-tech 3S3000mah
Props: 12x4.5
Weight RTF: 1.025kg
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
Sunday, April 10, 2011
New Video flying over Sanse
We go on with a new video, in a sunny sunday morning with a gentle breeze, but a good day for flying over a park near at home.
Credits:
Pilot: @Nio
Frame: X468 con brazos de aluminio. Distancia Motor a Motor 60cm.
Motors: MK3538
ESC: Turnigy Plush 25A
Lipo: NanoTech 3S2650
Camera: GoPro con carcasa.
Weight RTF: 1.5kg
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
Labels: arducopter, gopro, videos
Credits:
Pilot: @Nio
Frame: X468 con brazos de aluminio. Distancia Motor a Motor 60cm.
Motors: MK3538
ESC: Turnigy Plush 25A
Lipo: NanoTech 3S2650
Camera: GoPro con carcasa.
Weight RTF: 1.5kg
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
Labels: arducopter, gopro, videos
Finally, success!!
After several weeks with problems, finally we manage to record onboard a nice flight with the GoPro camera. The winner was @Nio with his quad based on X468 frame and heavy lift Mikrokopter motors.
Credits:
Pilot: @Nio
Camera Operator: @Juanki
Frame: X468 with aluminum bars. MotorToMotor distance: 60cm
Motors: MK3538
ESC: Turnigy Plush 25A
Lipo: NanoTech 3S2650
Camera: GoPro with standar housing.
Weight RTF: 1.4kg
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
Credits:
Pilot: @Nio
Camera Operator: @Juanki
Frame: X468 with aluminum bars. MotorToMotor distance: 60cm
Motors: MK3538
ESC: Turnigy Plush 25A
Lipo: NanoTech 3S2650
Camera: GoPro with standar housing.
Weight RTF: 1.4kg
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Sketchup design
We are designing the center plates of new quad/hexas using sketchup. First prototypes includes
This is based on unofficial arducopter quad/hexa center plate:
Sketchup file
This is based on Norf hexacopter center plate:
Sketchup file
We plan to create them manually (we still don't have our own CNC machine) in carbon fiber / fiber glass / aluminum.
This is based on unofficial arducopter quad/hexa center plate:
Sketchup file
This is based on Norf hexacopter center plate:
Sketchup file
We plan to create them manually (we still don't have our own CNC machine) in carbon fiber / fiber glass / aluminum.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Fail!
Another sunny day in the test airfield trying to fly the @Nio's hexacopter. Fail!
It's impossible to takeoff in a controlled way. We have tried @Nio's APM/IMU in the @JC's tiny hexacopter and it works perfect.
This discards the possibility of an APM fail or any code related issues.
Antonio has also exchanged the position of some motors and ESCs with no luck.
We have now some doubts about our new power distribution board, maybe it is not providing each ESC with an enough amount of amps.
We will try to modify the design to come back to a classic power distribution board with cables.
Some pictures of the test:
It's impossible to takeoff in a controlled way. We have tried @Nio's APM/IMU in the @JC's tiny hexacopter and it works perfect.
This discards the possibility of an APM fail or any code related issues.
Antonio has also exchanged the position of some motors and ESCs with no luck.
We have now some doubts about our new power distribution board, maybe it is not providing each ESC with an enough amount of amps.
We will try to modify the design to come back to a classic power distribution board with cables.
Some pictures of the test:
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Improving flying skills
While we are debugging some unexpected glitches with the big hexacopter, we decide to enjoy a sunny day with the tiny copter. @Nio has demonstrated why he is the main pilot!
Enjoy the video!
We have deleted some crashes, like a fail takeoff from the car's roof :) We will compile some crashes in a future video.
The team morale is high, due to some positive comments from people in the airfield test.
Our graphic design team is developing a corporate image to be used in tshirts, banners, etc.
And this is only the beginning!
Enjoy the video!
We have deleted some crashes, like a fail takeoff from the car's roof :) We will compile some crashes in a future video.
The team morale is high, due to some positive comments from people in the airfield test.
Our graphic design team is developing a corporate image to be used in tshirts, banners, etc.
And this is only the beginning!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A difficult day
Today we have tried to fly the new @Nio's hexacopter.
We have find a good place to serve as our main test airfield, a lot of space, no near obstacles. Perfect conditions: sunny, no wind.
But there is something wrong!. It is impossible to take off with the hexa equilbrated. Radio trim is not enough to compensate the deviation. We try to modify the gyros offsets but with no luck.
It could be:
Some pictures:
Maybe tomorrow will be a better day!
We have find a good place to serve as our main test airfield, a lot of space, no near obstacles. Perfect conditions: sunny, no wind.
But there is something wrong!. It is impossible to take off with the hexa equilbrated. Radio trim is not enough to compensate the deviation. We try to modify the gyros offsets but with no luck.
It could be:
- Hardware
- Front Motor/ESC?
- APM/IMU Fail?
- Power distribution not providing enough amp for an ESC peak?
- Software
- Any bug in the latest revision of ardupirates hexa code?
- Incorrect PID settings?
Some pictures:
 |
| From spcopter |
 |
| From spcopter |
 |
| From spcopter |
Maybe tomorrow will be a better day!
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Big Hexacopter ready
@Nio has almost finished his big hexacopter to carry on the GoPro camera.
Specs:
Frame:
- Arms: Aluminium square tubes
- Center: One plate Aluminium/One plate Polycarbonate
- MotorToMotor distance: 60cm
Motors: Turnigy 2217 860kv
ESC: Turnigy Plush 25A
Lipo: 3S5000
Sonar: Maxbotix LV-EZ0
Camera: GoPro
Weight RTF: 1650gr (with GoPro camera 1850gr)
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 572
We are impatient to see a video of the flight and our first onboard video.
Specs:
Frame:
- Arms: Aluminium square tubes
- Center: One plate Aluminium/One plate Polycarbonate
- MotorToMotor distance: 60cm
Motors: Turnigy 2217 860kv
ESC: Turnigy Plush 25A
Lipo: 3S5000
Sonar: Maxbotix LV-EZ0
Camera: GoPro
Weight RTF: 1650gr (with GoPro camera 1850gr)
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 572
We are impatient to see a video of the flight and our first onboard video.
TinyQuad redesigned
After having some big crashes due to motors coming off the mounts, we decide to modify the design and use square carbon tubes (we also try with aluminium) that allow us to screw the motors to the arms. We have also redesigned the central plates using carbon sheets. And finally but not less important we have added the sonar to allow "altitude hold".
This is the result:
Specs:
Frame:
- Arms: Square Carbon fiber tubes
- Center: Carbon fiber
- MotorToMotor distance: 28cm
Motors: Turnigy 1811-2000kv
ESC: Turnigy Plush 6A
Lipo: 3S610
Sonar: Maxbotix LV-EZ0
Props: 3-blade 5x3
Weight RTF: 250gr
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
This is the result:
Specs:
Frame:
- Arms: Square Carbon fiber tubes
- Center: Carbon fiber
- MotorToMotor distance: 28cm
Motors: Turnigy 1811-2000kv
ESC: Turnigy Plush 6A
Lipo: 3S610
Sonar: Maxbotix LV-EZ0
Props: 3-blade 5x3
Weight RTF: 250gr
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: Ardupirates Rev 527
Tiny Hexacopter
New challenge for the team. Can we build and fly a tiny hexacopter with the ardupirates code?
Yes, we can!
Tiny hexa by@Juanki
Specs:
Frame:
- Arms: Carbon fiber tubes
- Center: Carbon fiber
- MotorToMotor distance: 28cm
Motors: Turnigy 1811-2000kv
ESC: Turnigy Plush 6A
Lipo: 3S1000
Props: 3-blade 5x3
Weight RTF: 330gr
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: ArduPirates Hexa.
At the beginning
We are a group of people interested in unmanned vehicles/systems specially aerial platforms. Our members are:
@Juanki, the frame builder
@Nio, the official pilot
@Nacho, the wii guy
@JA, the only-with-sonar-pilot!
We get our inspiration from Arduino, Aeroquad and lately Arducopter. We are now following all the activity in rcgroups specially the ardupirates group.
Our first approach to the rc world has been a clone of the great @JoseJulio's tiny quadcopter. You can find all the information in the following links:
http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/indoor-fun-with-a-tiny
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fIZL-Ca2fx2RPhBQLzoOdqdCuikXRKePwKbxDlJWiss/edit?hl=es&pli=1#
These are some videos of our clones:
3-blade tiny quad by @Juanki
@Nio piloting @JA tiny quad
@JA learning to land (hard way)
Specs:
Frame:
- Arms: Carbon fiber tubes 4mm
- Center: Carbon fiber or balsa/plywood.
- MotorToMotor distance: 28cm
Motors: Turnigy 1811-2000kv
ESC: Turnigy Plush 6A
Lipo: 3S610
Props: 3-blade 5x3
Weight RTF: 246gr
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: JoseJulio's indoor branch of arducopter.
@Juanki, the frame builder
@Nio, the official pilot
@Nacho, the wii guy
@JA, the only-with-sonar-pilot!
We get our inspiration from Arduino, Aeroquad and lately Arducopter. We are now following all the activity in rcgroups specially the ardupirates group.
Our first approach to the rc world has been a clone of the great @JoseJulio's tiny quadcopter. You can find all the information in the following links:
http://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/indoor-fun-with-a-tiny
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1fIZL-Ca2fx2RPhBQLzoOdqdCuikXRKePwKbxDlJWiss/edit?hl=es&pli=1#
These are some videos of our clones:
3-blade tiny quad by @Juanki
@Nio piloting @JA tiny quad
@JA learning to land (hard way)
Specs:
Frame:
- Arms: Carbon fiber tubes 4mm
- Center: Carbon fiber or balsa/plywood.
- MotorToMotor distance: 28cm
Motors: Turnigy 1811-2000kv
ESC: Turnigy Plush 6A
Lipo: 3S610
Props: 3-blade 5x3
Weight RTF: 246gr
Core: ArduPilotMega and IMU (Oilpan)
Code: JoseJulio's indoor branch of arducopter.
