Gimbal Quad Prototype Ready to Fly!

Finally finished the initial build-up of the Gimbal Mini-Quad! Here are a few pictures of the build below. I was also very glad the All Up Weight (AUW) stayed around the 1150g range. According to the build info I've seen this means my quad is below the 1414g weight of the Blackout 330 with gimbal. Not quite a 300g difference, but I will take it! Maybe I need to consider making this thing out of carbon fiber and seeing if I can lower the weight.

Gimbal assembly, you can finally see the G10 plate I call the bowtie:

Gimbal ready for GoPro!

20A Multirotor Superstore ESC's all packed into the dirty section:

Fully assembled Gimbal Mini-quad on the scales:

Added about 14g of weight to balance out the gimbal:

Still right around 1150g, even with added mass to balance the gimbal:

Hobbyking Quanum 2-axis Licensed AlexMos BGC:

I am pretty happy with how it has come out so far. Hoping to get some flights in soon and try out the autotune feature on the Sparky flight controller!

Gimbal Quad weigh in!

I've got the prototype airframe assembled with all the electronics except the receiver. AUW is looking good so far:

The battery is also going to change to a slightly lighter Thunder Power 2700mAh 70c 4S. So it will most likely stay around the 1150g AUW zone when complete.

This is good because it will be almost 300g lighter than the claimed 1414g AUW of the Blackout 330 with gimbal.

FDM 3D Printed Gimbal Parts

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I sent a couple of the parts off to be 3D printed using Fused Deposition Modeling ABS plastic. Those parts arrived yesterday and I've begin test fitting as many parts as I can. So far everything seems to fit. There are a couple G10 pieces I need to have cut to complete the gimbal.

Bulkhead with gimbal roll motor fitted:

Hobby King 2-axis Alexmos micro gimbal controller mounted to bulkhead:

These parts I called the gimbal bowtie ears, once the G10 part is made it will make more sense why I called them bowtie ears (the G10 part which connects it all is shaped like a bowtie):

GoPro mount, gimbal pitch motor, and IMU assembled:

IMU wiring is routed through the GoPro mount and through the gimbal motor shaft:

Not installed yet is the Lumenier GoPro connector, this will be the same as my other mini-quad:

Trying out the Tau Labs Sparky flight controller for this build:

I decided to try out the Tau Labs Sparky on this build because it has some pretty cool features which are supported. Right off the bench this thing already has a barometer and magnetometer built in, so it supports altitude hold flight mode. It also has the capability to do GPS position hold and Return to Home failsafe with the addition of a GPS antenna, which are features I will be interested in possibly adding down the line.

I have put on order most of the piece parts I will need to finish this build, and the G10 should be arriving to Twitchity soon (who will be cutting the new pieces). Hopefully the updates will keep rolling and if things go well, first prototype flights will happen before the Thanksgiving holiday.

More Progress on the Gimbal Mini-Quad

Slowly making more progress on the Gimbal Mini-Quad. Learning quite a bit about Inventor Fusion 360, but I still prefer SolidWorks.

Work Progressing on Gimbal

As I alluded to earlier I am in the midst of designing another new project mini-quad which revolves around the incorporation of a gimbal. I'm slowly muddling my way through Autodesk Inventor Fusion 360. Below is a preview of the gimbal parts being assembled in Inventor Fusion.

All the yellow parts are going to be 3D printed. I have a set on order through Shapeways that are going to be SLS (selective laser sintered) nylon, but they won't arrive until the end of November due to production delays. I also have a set being printed by another company but had them done in FDM (fused deposition modeling) ABS plastic so that I can still move forward with form/fit/function testing.

Titan Tricopter vs Slash

Just a little video a friend and I made after work one day.

This was filmed using my Titan Tricopter with custom fitted brushless GoPro gimbal.

Snorkeling in the Devil's Den

Besides "snorkeling" in the pool as a kid, I had never really been anywhere snorkeling as a serious activity. Several weeks ago, Michael found this place in Williston FL , which is near Ocala. It is called the Devil's Den because it is a sink hole cavern, and an underground spring which gives of steam in the cooler months. Well anyways, the video says a lot more than what I could put into words:


It was really cool, and now that we have snorkel gear I'm sure we'll find some other cool places to visit.