Okay, so after seeing a LOT of fascinating videos on YouTube and reading VOLUMES of threads over over at RCGroups, I decided that I just had to build a TriCopter. I am not the greatest of pilots when it comes to helicopters (and let's face it, Tri's are basically helicopters), but from all that I've read and all that I've seen, it seems that these little beasts are actually easier to fly that full-blown helicopters (just what I need!). In addition to being an interesting type of aircraft to play around with, they also seem to be very stable platforms for FPV (First Person View) and AP (Aerial Photography).

I had an opportunity to make purchase of the Parrot by ARDrones not too long ago, but I just couldn't see turning loose of about $300 dollars to get one (it kind of seemed like too much of a "toy" to me). I thought to myself "there just has to be a way to get a multi-rotor aircraft flying for less than $300!". I've already authored a couple of airplane designs that I called "QSC's", meaning that they were Quick-building utilizing Simple build methods, and were easy on the old wallet (Cheap!). I decided to see if I could work up a QSC Tri that I could share with the masses so that other aspiring Multi-Rotor pilots could engage in this madness, too, but without breaking the bank.

What you see here are the results of my experiment. I have to give special thanks to my friend John, as he has helped me IMMENSELY in learning the electronics side of the flight stabilization system, as well as providing the plans for a very nice starter platform as the airframe is concerned. In fact, John will be helping me with documentation (articles, diagrams, and videos) so that we can share what we've learned in this side of the RC Hobby.

For this first version of the TriCopter, I estimate having somewhere between $225 - 250 invested (not bad since I wanted to beat that $300 that the Parrot would have cost). I decided to use the MultiWii Flight Stabilization System rather than four gyros, which added a little more to the price of the project, but is really worth those extra coins (we'll be delving into this system significantly in the coming days and weeks)!

Following are the basic specifications of my TriCopter:

Motors: TowerPro 2410-09 Outrunners (3)

Props: GWS 10x4.7 SlowFly Props (3)

ESC's: HK 25 Amp SS Series (3)

Battery: 3s2200 Lipos, 25C

Receiver: HK Orange Box DSM2 with Satellite Antenna

BEC: Castle Creations 10 Amp

Flight Stabilization: Arduino Pro Mini, custom Wii Interconnect Board, Gyros from Wii Motion Plus, Accelerometer from Wii Nunchuck

Airframe Materials: 2 sheets of 12" x 24" 1/8" Birch Ply (from Michael's Craft Store), 1/2" x 5/8" aluminum C-channel (got it from Lowe's)

Now let me say up front, this setup is not going to be your optimal combination for hanging a big ol' camera or FPV system on it. Remember, the QSC project is all about providing an inexpensive and simple platform for learning to fly these crazy machines. Again, money can be saved by using four inexpensive gyros instead of the Flight Stabilization System I used (FSS, for short), but by going the FSS route, you'll save yourself lots of headaches (wiring the four gyros and setting up the gains properly is a feat in itself!).

While this combination of materials is not really capable of carrying a lot of extra weight in cameras, it WILL work perfectly fine if your idea of Aerial Photography is in line with the use of small keychain cameras and units like the FlyCamOne. If you want to carry a heavier payload, then all you really need to change for more power are the motors and battery. I hope to have some good "real world" data for you soon on viable power system combinations.

When it comes to flying this flavor of Multi-Rotor, I found the experience to be quite pleasurable (remember now that I have NEVER flown one of these before). To quote my buddy John, "it's kind of somewhere between a coaxial helicopter (like a CX2) and a VERY stable Collective Pitch helicopter". Flight times are somewhere between 6 and 8 minutes (I think, as I have yet to remember to time my flights! LOL).

This system truly is a lot of fun and is a great bang for the buck! As soon as John and I get the files finalized, I'll upload them here some my fellow PhlatClub members can enjoy the fun!

EDIT: Note that I have decided that the "QSC TriCopter" will be the subject of this year's "Crash's Scratch-Build Club". Please note that with all of the work that will have to be done on this project, I'll be posting all of the instructional data on this project on my personal site http://www.AllThingsCrash.com . However, I certainly wouldn't want to leave my Phlat-brethren behind, so I'll be posting my complete file package right here so that you guys can cut out your Tri on your Phlatties! Please skip down to my next post in this thread for the good stuff!

Please note that the pictures you see below were of my FIRST Tri, and I have significantly simplified the project to allow so that our non-PhlatClub members can participate in the fun. That being said, please treat the pictures below as the prototype information that they are.

Here's my video and some pictures:

Attached files h:300px" />

 

:fantastic: This is going to be an AWESOME project Mike and John!
Thank you
Mark and Trish

 

Okay, here's my complete file package!

This design requires two 12" x 24" x 1/8" pieces of Lite Ply (although Birch Ply will fit the bill nicely - it will just add about 3 ounces to the finished model). I have it set up for the 1/16" PhlatBit and it runs nicely on my PhlatPrinter 3 at 30 IPM with depth passes at 0.035" (four passes total).

Be sure to check out my podcast as we'll be showing you how to do everything on this project, including recommended electronics and a great DIY Flight Stabilization System! Attached files Tri_QSC.zip (1.2 MB)Â

 

Thanks Mike! Looks really good

 

WOW nice job MIKE!
This looks awesome!
Can't wait to get it flying!
Mark and Trish

 

Ladies and gentlemen, say hello to the first QSC TriCopter cut on the PhlatPrinter 3!!

Attached files

 

Mike that looks awesome! I can't wait to follow along with this cool project.
you guys got me hooked!
Mark and Trish

 

nice work mike..... looks very lite also. randy.

 

QSC TriCopter Videos are now live at www.AllThingsCrash.com ! Build an airframe with us!

 

Thanks for the info there, Tim! I have been working this project at the speed of light and clearly should have included more info. You rock, dude!

 

Thought you guys might get a kick out of this - Super Lite Hot-Rod TriCopter for a friend. Pics to follow!

Here's a pic of the dry-fit. Do you think Bob is gonna like it? Attached files

 

It looks great Mike!
Do you know what how much weight you saved by cutting the holes?
Nice job!
Mark and Trish

 

Because I was worried about strength with this much lightening, I cut it out of 1.8" birch ply instead of light ply.

The Birch "QSC Style" airframe (the center section portion) weighs 8 ounces

The Lite Ply "QSC Style" airframe is 5 ounces

This Birch "Lightened Variant" weighs 6 ounces

 

Cool Mike thanks for the update, I am trying out the 1/8th lite ply and it seems to cut really well
I watched the latest video you guys made with John doing the electronics on the way over to Aunt Helen's house today and it was fantastic! Very easy to follow and lays it all out for you
Well done guyz
Thank you
Mark and Trish

 

I'm using 1.7preter(the latest) and am very happy with it. Here is a good post on using 1.7 that I ran across last night. http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showpost.php?p=17490850&postcount=9587

Yesterday I got a chance to fly my wii tricopter with tons of success. My tri is quick simple and cheap but it's not the QSC. I had my frame done before Mike showed this one. The Wii components are original and is why I was able to cut the Nunchuk board in half.

Here are some pics and a little video clip my friend took with his Iphone. It's hard to see but I got a couple of flips in the beginning of the clip. These things are so easy to fly, especially compared to trying the standard gyro one.

Thanks Mike and John! I watched the vids and read an awful lot of info and now it all makes better sense.







Attached files

 

That is right. Do not cut the clone NK boards. The original ones are fine though.

 

Hey Navion,
You know now I am not 100% sure. I just read on the rcgroups forum that a guy who had an original NK cut his and it didn't work, so now I'm not sure about this.

I know mine works fine but I looked at the traces before I cut it to make sure I wasn't disconnecting a trace from another that it was suppose to be connected to.

I you post pics of the top and bottom of your NK board I can tell you.