Introducing the SausageCopter hex chassis.

[sausageroll]

Ok so it probably wont be called the Sausagecopter, thats just a working title.

Ive done some maths, and to make it viable, I need to sell 3-4 before i can start work. The cost is higher than id like. Just to clarify this is what is included:

Bottom deck
Top deck - these are the main two chassis pieces
Three legged motor mounts
Three legless motor mounts (both of these include  two laser cut parts)
Three legs (two parts each
Roof (pre cut with holes for naza / WKM gps stand)

Brass standoff, spaces the two chassis plates, and also used in the legs and motor mounts
Plastic standoffs - lighter altenative used to hold components apart
big M4 standoffs, hold the roof up
A load of M2 hardware that holds the batteries in place, and also acts to stop the arms sliding in to the chassis.
A boatload of M3 screws that hold the whole thing together

6x aluminium arms


The cost is £180. More than id like, but this is a pretty well made frame.

If you want carbon arms I can do this but it will be quite considerably more, maybe 100 quid extra.


Please note, this does not include the naza platform. I can include this and all hardware for 10 quid extra. (this is a litlte bolt down table to put the naza controlelr on, it helps it to lift clear of the wiring.



I need commitments for about 3-4 to start work. After this, I would be able to get them to you in about two weeks.




Obviously its important for you to know how much a crash will be to repair. None of the hardware (standoffs, bolts etc) will damage in a crash. The legs can be bent out in a vice, but if you need new ones, a new set of metal for the legs will be a fiver, new set of metal for motor mounts a fiver.

The top and bottom chassis, 15 quid each

New arms (very unlikely to ever need it, a fiver each)



This is an 800mm sized hex, for heavy lifting. Im using unmannedtech 880kv motors and their 30amp ESCs with a naza GPS and it behaves very well. Im using 5ah 4s turnigy hardcase batteries, and I have designed the battery plate specifically for these batteries, but I can adjust this for a more universal fitting.

I could also produce a quad version of this design, let me know if interested.

Let me know what you think,

Pete.

[Brian]

Me want!  Do they come in my favorite colour? (Black!) If not I have a marker pen.

Like I said, I'll say yes on payday - Next Wednesday the 17th. (This is sort of definite, but would prefer to make sure - I am owed about £120 of callout pay on top of my usual wages!)

So put me down for one,
Brian

[sausageroll]

They do come in black, but the cost for anodising is a rather insulting 55 quid (thats a quote straight from the anodisers, no profit or anything added in, thats literally just what it costs) I was hoping to be able to supply them black as standard but for that price, its not worth it.

I sent the lady an email back and asked for the cheapest possible crap anodise they could do (as I get the impression the quote was for very nice aesthetic finish, when really we just need a black coating) and she sounded rather insulted emailing back saying 'We dont do cheap and nasty.' haha.

It could be painted but anodise is the preference...

Pete.

[Brian]

I think I'll stick with the bare metal then!!

Brian

[sausageroll]

I am exploring other avenues for manufacture too, still be laser cut but im just looking into other companies etc. May be that they can throw them in with another similar product and we can pay very little for it or something. Will let you know.

[Brian]

Cool!

Brian

[sausageroll]

You mentioned brian you may be up for building the same one ive built with the same parts. With that in mind, heres a shopping list.

Motors: Unmannedtech 880kv - Recently was told that the cost for these may be a bit higher than they should be, maybe shop around and see what you can find. I recommend these motors specifically as ive had 12 of them now and they have worked very well and id be scared to recommend anything else.

ESCs: Unmanned 30amp - Same reasons as above.

Props - APC 12x6 thin electric (from hobbystores.co.uk - DO NOT USE GEMFAN THIS HEX IS TOO BIG FOR ****** PROPS)

RX, im using Spektrum AR8000 - for the naza you need a receiver that will drive 'servos' to preset failsafe positions - this RX does this.

Naza GPS (cant recomend anything else as this is the only controller ive been happy with)

Batteries, 5ah 4s Turnigy hardcase from hobbyking. I run them in sets of three.



Ok.... GO!!!!

[Brian]

Hi there again mate,
Sorry to keep bugging you about this, but I am having trouble finding these parts. Is there any way you could put links to the parts in please? I want to build up a shopping list :)

Brian

[sausageroll]

Well since its you Brian.

http://unmannedtechshop.co.uk/Arducopter/Arducopter-Motors-ESC/Brushless-Motor-880Kv-arducopter (use M6 lock nuts do not trust the spinner nut they are evil)
http://unmannedtechshop.co.uk/30A-Quadcopter-ESC

http://www.hobbystores.co.uk/default.asp?WPG=HOB_HomePage1&itemid=E-LP12060E
http://www.hobbystores.co.uk/default.asp?WPG=HOB_HomePage1&itemid=E-LP12060EP

Im using Spektrum AR8000 RX they can be got very cheap from lots of places, about 50 quid.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__16655__Turnigy_5000mAh_4S1P_14_8v_20C_hardcase_pack_DE_Warehouse_.html
(run with three at a time)

http://www.buildyourowndrone.co.uk/DJI-NAZA-Flight-Controller-p/dji-naza.htm (I wouldnt trust anything other than this or the wookong or any of the high end controllers on a hex this size)


Thats about it... Other stuff is just cable and connectors and stuff...

[Brian]

You';re lovely :)

Thanks mate, I';ll have a look through that lot in a bit, have to go to work now to earn money for a Sausagecopter + kit!!

Brian

[icedfusion]

It really is a nice copter - but I need convincing on the price!

ice.

[Brian]

Well, I think its like this. You either want one, or not. I have a few plans for the Hex when I get it flying. I may even get to make a bit of money out of it - Roof Surveys, Aeriel Photography etc... And lets face it, it looks and sounds ****** impressive! I';m going to build it over about two months so the cost of the motors, ESC';s, props, and batteries etc. is all spread out. Then I';ll just plonk my Naza + GPS on it and fly!

Plus whoever owns one of these will be part of a very exclusive club - not many of these frames around, we could get Sausage to number the frames!!

I';m having one, and thats it for me!
Brian

[Gaza07]

I suppose this will be the members list then 

Pete   = Sausage 1
Simon = Sausage 2
Brian  = Sausage 3



Only kidding they are very nice frames and built in Britain to  :uk:

[sausageroll]

Hi Brian and Icedfusion,

Regarding the cost, I know its higher than I said. This cost was purely based on Brian asking how much it would be if it were just him and ice. I could exclude the naza platform and the cheeseplate but the reduction would be about a tenner, and you will need the naza platform anyway.

If I were to rear up another 2-3 orders to go with yours I could do it for the amount stated in the first post, but who knows how long that will take and im not sure if orders 1 and 2 will wait whilst orders 3 4 and 5 are found.

I have just modified the design to include detachable motor arms if that sweetens the deal.

Pete.

[sausageroll]

;-)

[Brian]

Thought about sticking an ad on Ebay? You could have it as a order to build type advert.

Brian

[sausageroll]

Would quite like to sell to you two to begin with really. You can tell me if anything needs fiddling.

[Brian]

You can tell me if anything needs fiddling.

Fnarr fnarr!!

Brian

[sausageroll]

Problem.

Just went to the laser cutting quote system and the prices for the cut parts has trippled. Phoned them up, they say the system had previously not been taking something into acocunt and we were undercharged the first few times, and these new ridiculous prices are the real costs.

Basically if this sticks its gonna stop the project caus a part that was about a fiver is now close to 20 quid. Ive expressed my anger about all this, politely, and hes talking to the MD. Maybe my account will get put on a 60 percent discount or something, but im waiting to hear back.

I was hoping to offer a crash kit with new chassis parts for about 30 quid, at this cost the crash kit alone would have to be about 100, so its just not viable.


Pete

[sausageroll]

They just rung back, they seem fairly keen not to loose the project and they have changed their prices about a bit, so ignore post avove, all is fine again.

[Brian]

Great :)  Was close to changing my mind then!!

Brian

[neagron]

   Hi Saugesroll,try Quick uk for a price for your anodiseing,speak to Bud Bolton,he';s a fair man,hope this helps,Marty.

[Iberian]

I';ve been watching your friend';s blog and although I can get a rough idea of the quad I can';t find a good image/photo where I can see all details.  What is the exact size motor to motor? Does it come with all nuts and bolts, spacers etc to do a complete assembly? Does it come with some sort of camera mounts (I am inclined to test a chinese clone of the CamOne camera, two of them) ? Mounting instructions? And if it is not asking too much would you mind to give me later the moments of Inertia Ixx,Iyy,Izz, mass, area etc (you can get them from your CAD software - I use Inventor) as I need that data to develop a mathematical model and this saves me a considerable amount of time?
Thanks.
Tony

[sausageroll]

Hi Tony,

Its 800mm motor to motor.

Would come with spacers, bolts etc, but no camera mount. Theres a sort of universal thready mount thing on the bottom to attach stuff to.


My cad software is quite simple and wont give me any of that data. The hex flies fine and I can give you the best gain settings we have found for the naza/wkm, the weight of the frame without any stuff stuck to it is about 1.5kg.

http://sphotos-e.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/563997_10151131281319635_263196478_n.jpg
http://sphotos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/964_10151131277179635_609669507_n.jpg
http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/384447_10151131287319635_1659549840_n.jpg
http://sphotos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/247764_10151131289054635_2079825667_n.jpg

Two Hexacopters Flying on Vimeo

[Iberian]

Pete,

Sorry to keep you waiting. For now I will not take one... maybe next time and it will be an HEX. This decision came from the fact that when summing up all costs together (frame, naza, etc etc) I';ve reached the conclusion that maybe it is not a good idea at this time so close to Xmas with other priorities on the way. I will try to get the most of my existing stuff for my immediate needs and let see if next year January or February I start to build what I really want.
Thanks very much.
Tony

[Brian]

Those motors are out of stock as is most of Unmannedtech';s stock! I have no idea what motors to look at. I know that motors come in different shapes and sizes but thats about it.. Could you please post a selection of motors that you would use if you had no other choice please mate. And the same with the ESC';s please :) Would RCTimer do the same sort of motor?

I am still looking at buying one of your Hex frames after Xmas, and I';m just getting other stuff sorted out when I can. Also could you do some easy to follow pictures of your power distribution loop please, I was trying to think about it the other day and utterly confused myself!! (I confused myself so much, that I forgot what I was doing for a full hour!!)

Brian :)