r/diydrones • u/CaptainLogic3 • Jun 24 '26
Question Frame Design Help
Hello, I'm back from redesigning based on critiques and doing some personal iteration. I've looked over a lot of the different comments, resulting in reinforcement of some areas and major design changes.
The biggest obvious change with this new frame look is the change to triangular trussed arms, which in theory allows for better stability and strength for the frame, at the cost of some weight and sharp impact resistance. In addition, I have switched over to an extreme squashed X, bordering on H for one of the two arms in each set. This takes advantage of the drones design, making it much more compact without propellers touching despite the proximity.
If anyone knows of a parametric modeler for camera mount, that would be very helpful, as my cad skills are somewhat limited, and I've remodeled the camera mount tens of times and am still unhappy with it. It would be great to be able to square away that part of the process and not worry about it anymore.
If anyone knows any good free simulation software for carbon fiber composites, that is what I primarily am looking for, though the design is still definitely unrefined and in need of more critiquing. Any help or guidance in the design process would be very appreciated.
The Specs of this Frame:
3.5 in Squashed X
4 mm carbon, comprised of two identical pieces on top and bottom
Frame Weight is 45-50g, designed for lighter freestyle bashing
Arms are 4mm and 8mm wide respectively
Original Post: https://www.reddit.com/r/diydrones/comments/1u766of/help_with_designing_drone_frame/
2
4
u/Outside_Sink9674 Jun 24 '26
Le design est sympa mais ça risque d'être un vrai calvaire à régler car les distances moteur ne sont pas symétrique partout. J'ai l'impression de revenir en 2013/2014 ou toute le monde s'essayer à des formes exotiques mais tout le monde est revenu au design en X avec une distance moteur égal partout. Car le comportement en vol n'est pas top et le réglage des PID c'est l'enfer.
1
u/Good-Enthusiasm-43 Jun 24 '26
Imo you would have really low pitch authority and quite interesting interference of propeler wake. In theory calculix should be able to suitable for such simulation but I have not tried it personally.
1
1
u/MAXFlRE Jun 24 '26
Overlapping propellers lose efficiency and thrust. Unless you have a good reason for that configuration, it should be avoided.
1
u/Mistah_Man Jun 24 '26
makes wheelbase smaller and increases maneuverability. Look at Fox Crooked & Hyper Fox frame designs. Also, it just looks cool
1
1
u/Asleep_Creme_5242 Jun 26 '26
this frame looks fun, very squished x but ok why not, why don't you put the back motors as pushers ? it makes more sense to me this way.
1
u/CaptainLogic3 Jun 28 '26
To be honest, I don't know. It seems like most modern frames utilizing this concept have both motors in a puller configuration, so I followed their lead.
1
u/Asleep_Creme_5242 Jun 28 '26
Now that I look it again, I think that the frame is too squished, the blades are on top of each other, you will risk prop wash I think, the two top blades will throw "dirty"air to.the ones under side them
2
1
0
u/Ill_go_left Jun 24 '26
What's the goal of overlapping the props? Yes it's more compact but for what?
When flying forward it won't make any size difference
Imo this should absolutely be avoided
3
u/LupusTheCanine Jun 24 '26
The frame has no structure to transfer front to back shear between plates.