56 points by dronebuilder 6 months ago flag hide 45 comments
john_doe 6 months ago next
This is an awesome guide, I've always wanted to build my own quadcopter!
jane_doe 6 months ago next
@john_doe Glad you like it! I'm excited to start this project with you.
tech_guru 6 months ago prev next
Building your own quadcopter is no small feat. You should consider the complexity of the design, cost and the time required for the project.
maker_1 6 months ago next
@tech_guru True, but it's definitely worth it! I've learned so much from my past projects.
open_source_fan 6 months ago prev next
Kudos for sharing this guide with the community. Sharing knowledge and experiences help us all grow in this field.
john_doe 6 months ago next
@open_source_fan Absolutely! I spent a lot of my free time making this guide. Sharing is Caring!
drone_enthusiast 6 months ago prev next
What type of motors and propellers will we need? And what are your suggestions for affordable, yet quality parts?
jane_doe 6 months ago next
@drone_enthusiast For affordable yet quality parts, I'd suggest checking out ServoCity, Adafruit, and HorusRC. As for motors and propellers, you'll need to decide on the right combination depending on the desired weight and flight time of the quadcopter.
fpv_buddies 6 months ago prev next
Have any of you tried FPV (First Person View) for quads? Do recommend cameras, monitors or goggles for beginners?
tech_guru 6 months ago next
@fpv_buddies I've been using Fat Shark Dominator V3 goggles and they've been great. I'd recommend the Runcam Swift 2 camera. As a beginner, you should start off by mounting the camera on top of the quadcopter so you have better orientation.
fpv_buddies 6 months ago next
@tech_guru Thanks for the recommendations! I'll add those to my shopping list.
drone_dweller 6 months ago prev next
Which frame is best for building a quad? DIY, carbon fiber or aluminum?
jane_doe 6 months ago next
@drone_dweller DIY frames with customizable parts are an interesting learning experience, but they can also make the project more time-consuming. Carbon fiber frames are light and strong, perfect for robust quads. Aluminum frames are less expensive and a viable option if you're cost-conscious.
linuxtype 6 months ago prev next
Does the software part run on Linux? Any exciting open-source projects to use as a base? I'm eager to hear about experiences and recommendations!
john_doe 6 months ago next
@linuxtype I personally use an Asus Tinker Board S running ArduPilot on DietPi Linux. It works like a charm and it's completely open-source. I'm glad you're excited about the project!
maker_1 6 months ago next
@linuxtype I also recommend trying Betaflight or Cleanflight. I've had great experiences with them and their vibrant communities.
part_hunter 6 months ago prev next
Where do you usually buy your electronics and actuators for projects? I'm looking for a reliable store with affordable prices and fast shipping in Europe.
jane_doe 6 months ago next
@part_hunter Check out TME Electronic Components - they have a wide range of products, competitive prices, and fast shipping. For 3D printing, check out Prusa3D for high-quality filament and printers.
part_hunter 6 months ago next
@jane_doe Thank you! I did a little research and am excited to try TME Electronic Components for my parts and Prusa3D for filament and printers. I'm looking forward to starting my project!
robi_code 6 months ago prev next
How do you recommend approaching the coding part? I've moderately experienced in C, C++ and Python. Any suggestions for libraries, tools or resources?
john_doe 6 months ago next
@robi_code If you're familiar with Python, I'd recommend looking into the ArduPilot Python API or are using multiwii-based firmware, you could look into the MWII python API. A great resource for getting started is openpilot.github.io – lots of tutorials and knowledge sharing.
tech_guru 6 months ago next
@robi_code Great! With C and C++ skills, you'll have a real advantage in creating libraries and algorithms for efficient quadcopter performance.
robi_code 6 months ago prev next
@john_doe Thank you for the recommendation! I'll dive into the ArduPilot Python API and get my drone project started with the right resources. Happy flying!
robi_code 6 months ago prev next
@john_doe Thanks for the resource, really valuable stuff! I'll start studying the APIs straight away!
hardware_geek 6 months ago prev next
I see that in the guide, you've used a specific PID controller. Can you comment on the importance of choosing and tuning PIDs? And any resources for PID tuning?
jane_doe 6 months ago next
@hardware_geek PID controllers are crucial for maintaining a stable flight allowing you to maintain orientation and maneuver while keeping over 50 stabilization variables under control. Check out the Real Flight Simulator for testing a range of PID values with a digital twin of your quadcopter—it's a perfect way to learn hands-on.
servo_skeptic 6 months ago prev next
How do you feel about replacing the servos with better alternatives, potentially linear actuators or swappable motors? I'd be curious to see your opinions on performance gains, costs, or additional complexities brought in.
john_doe 6 months ago next
@servo_skeptic Linear actuators and swappable motors definitely have their advantages, like more granular positioning control and easier maintenance/customization. However, they can significantly increase the cost and complexity of your quadcopter build. It might be a good idea to consider these alternatives only after mastering the basics with a standard servo setup.
hardware_geek 6 months ago next
@john_doe Good point. Maybe starting with servos and then gradually advancing towards linear actuators as they get more comfortable with the build process.
servo_skeptic 6 months ago prev next
@john_doe Thank you for the complexity and cost considerations. With that in mind, I'll start with standard servos and work my way toward linear actuators later in the project.
cnc_master 6 months ago prev next
Having the right CNC techniques and custom parts is instrumental in the early stages of the design. Keen to hear about your workflow when working through prototyping stages.
jane_doe 6 months ago next
@cnc_master The guide does cover Fusion 360 design and CNC machining as essential early steps in the process, and I am glad to report that it has allowed for highly accurate and customizable parts within the build. Once the design is finalized, 3D printing offers durability and ease of manipulation. Overall, CNC procedures significantly increase efficiency in resource management, minimizing waste and raw material cost.
cnc_master 6 months ago next
@jane_doe Excited to try that design approach! Thank you for sharing your insights.
debug_my_life 6 months ago prev next
What are some critical debugging techniques that you've picked up working on this project? Specifically, how did you go about fixing inconsistent torque motors?
jane_doe 6 months ago next
@debug_my_life My team found installing a laser tachometer and oscilloscope to be indispensable debugging tools when detecting signal inconsistencies (e.g., PWM) and optimizing power distribution stability. By ensuring the signal polarity matches that of the motor being driven, clockwise vs. counter-clockwise motion anomalies are easily resolved. Inconsistent/erratic torque motor issues should be addressed by cross-checking wire connections and double-checking the motor drivers for compatibility in the firmware settings.
debug_my_life 6 months ago next
@jane_doe Thank you for your detailed response! I've got some debugging to do and will investigate the tools and techniques suggested in the guide.
firmware_fan 6 months ago prev next
How deep should I be diving into firmware customization for better control? Are there libraries or snippets that could help in better controlling a DIY quadcopter build?
john_doe 6 months ago next
@firmware_fan To start, understanding the PID loop and interpreting values in your controller setup is essential. Also, developing algorithmic skills like sensor fusion and filtering for accurate drone orientation awareness guide you in the right direction. Betaflight, Cleanflight, or ArduPilot libraries contain snippets and classes useful for controlling and monitoring drone actions. Delving into firmware customization wouldn't just improve overall understanding but hone your skills and take your DIY quadcopter build to the next level.
firmware_fan 6 months ago next
@john_doe I'm going to use the suggested libraries and snippets and start implementing custom firmware for my quadcopter. I appreciate all of your help!
stacker_p 6 months ago prev next
I'd be interested in hearing your opinions on the use of neural networks to augment the stability and control of a USV (underwater species vehicle)—particularly in the context of gestural control in place of classical joysticks. We recently had a project in our lab where students experimented with convolutional neural networks for object detection and reaction but haven't seen much literature about the neural applications in underwater quadcopter control systems.
tech_guru 6 months ago next
@stacker_p The use of neural networks in underwater applications, specifically submarines, ROVs, and AUVs, is an exciting area with a lot of potentials. A neural network can provide non-linear mappings and complex control behavior, enabling smart and autonomous underwater quadcopter navigation and control. Implementing neural network algorithms in AUV and USV systems with enough sensory observation data for training and testing would lead to advanced capabilities. However, this could be challenging due to environmental constraints like power requirement, bandwidth limitations, and coordinating real-time training and prediction feeding into control systems.
stacker_p 6 months ago next
@tech_guru Agreed, advanced control mechanisms and real-time training in underwater applications can become quite challenging, especially with the power and bandwidth limitations. Interesting to see how these niche applications will evolve, thanks for your thoughts!
antenna_theory 6 months ago prev next
Asynchronous communication is becoming more prevalent in IoT applications and embedded systems. Thoughts on its potential use for multidrone swarm coordination to achieve a higher level of consistency and control over traditional synchronous comms?
jane_doe 6 months ago next
@antenna_theory Asynchronous communication is incredibly promising in terms of latency reduction, increasing data rates, and greater reliability. Implementing this technology for multidrone swarm coordination is certainly a viable approach to increasing efficiency and response time, while also scaling up to manage larger systems. Though there may be some trickier concerns to iron out, like synchronizing timestamps, and processing messages out of order. It also opens up other disciplines related to this technology, such as waveform design, interference destruction, and interference detection to further iterate the stability and control of drone swarms.
john_doe 6 months ago prev next
Thank you, everyone, for the insightful questions, ideas, and suggestions! To wrap things up, I'd like to invite you to share your personal projects in this thread and offer any further assistance if you're struggling with any aspect of your builds.