hey guys!

Long Story Short, i built a quad.... then i smashed it into a fence...



quadless that i was, i decided to build a Tbs discovery! Searched around and found some disco plates on qk for around 2k...

though i felt that the discovery frame with the stock flamewheel arms is pretty heavy, and would strain my motors (im running 980kv sunnys btw)
so what i decided to do is 3d print some AerialMob-esque Adaptors to make my arms out of cf rods. not only would i save weight, i could also extend my motors out a wee bit and cram 11" props onto it... alas the 3d printer decided to conk out at the last minute leaving me stranded... so i went ahead with the flamewheel arms for now... i will update here when i switch to cf though....

Now for the build!

Soldered on the connectors to the Center plates and set up the arms, also mounted the fc with spacers and soldered the lipo plug... i am keeping the escs inside the body because i am gonna switch to cf later and gonna route the 3 motor wires through the rods, so itll keep it clean. im using 30a afro's. i also soldered bullet connectors onto the esc pads, because a) i prefer keeping my build modular and b) i like bullet connectors.




now almost complete, i realised what a drab and boring frame i made... so why not build a canopy? and then...

CANOPY BUILD LOG

Started by sculpting out the canopy in Polyurethane foam, which was lying around in college. took a template of the disco plate and cut the foam to that shape.
marked the very important centre line and began sanding... after one afternoon of work, i got a shape emerging from the foam..



Once the Rough pattern was ready, i wet sanded it one last time, then layed down one coat of primer and let it dry overnight. the next day , i sanded it down and applied putty to smooth and finish the surface.




Final step: Thermoforming! Put the pattern in a thermoforming machine and formed it with an ABS sheet. Also tried some random plastic sheet i  found, but ABS was better and stronger.



FINAL RESULT:

Test fitted The Canopy, And it fits PERFECTLY! Just had to cut some notches for the arms...also theres enough tolerance for props and a gimbal which ill mount later....




Yes, I am aware that one of my quads arms are missing...

Now onto painting it... just finished masking it and preparing for base coat...



Hopefully i dont muck it up :S

Great going, Aniket, and nice canopy... once you have access to enough materials, hope yo will make one for me too

Its looking perfect in line. Waiting to see everything in a single setup.

That's a really cool canopy Aniket! 

Could you please post more details about this thermoforming machine? Do you own it or does some shop provide that service? 

Excellent build Aniket, love the canopy. The Sunnyskys are not bad for this frame. I run them on 4S with 9" props and they perform very well.

Ashim.

Thanks everyone! @swapnil the thermoforming machine is in my college...its got a bed size of 16"x21"
@ashim 9" props? Maybe I'll try that.. I ran 4s on 10" props only... Maybe 9" should give more efficiency I'll try that thanks!

Sunnysky 980's on 4S with 10" props is pushing the motors a bit. On a 3300 4 cell with gimbal, SJ4000 and fpv gear, I get 12 mins of AP flight.
The biggest advantage of using smaller props on this type of frame, is that they reduce Video jello significantly. 

Coming up nicely, the canopy steals the show.

thanks @girishsarwal!

Great work Aniket !!!

finally maidened the Quad! Flies like a dream! Thanks To @ved and @medicineman1987 for their help

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yshuEyHlm8&feature=youtu.be

Nice build Aniket, hope to see you soon in Goa.

♥ That canopy ♥

Awesome build, really like that canopy design Aniket