Having a design to follow will help make it easier to decide where best to place each component. Once you’ve finished a quadcopter drone, you can try larger designs that incorporate more motors to carry more equipment like cameras. Many drone designs are available for free online if you search “DIY drone design. ”
If you are using self-setting wood screws on a wood or plastic frame, drill the holes smaller than the diameter of the screws so they can work as a guide. If you are using metal, drill holes of the same diameter of the mounting bolts you’ll use. You will then need to use nuts on the underside of the bolts to secure them in place.
These four rings will serve as lightweight landing gear for your drone. The cuts don’t have to be perfect as long as the rings are thick enough to be sturdy, but the better the finish on your cuts, the better the drone will look.
You can use glue instead of tape, but make sure it’s completely dry before moving on. Keep the rings in the middle of the arms so they don’t interfere with the placement of your motors or other components.
The drone frame now has landing gear and motors, but the center portion of the frame should still be empty. Tighten the bolts or screws securely so the motors can’t wiggle at all on the frame. Any slack will create vibrations that can make the drone unstable.
Don’t use glue the first time you assemble your drone, as you may find you want to adjust the positioning of different components based on how it flies. The speed controllers regulate how fast the motors on the drone spin. This ensures all four motors spin at the same speed so the drone will be level as it flies.
In most applications, mounting the battery in the center of the top of the frame is the best place. Use zip ties to hold the battery in place so you can remove it and move it if you need to adjust the weight distribution of the drone later.
The power distribution board relays the right amount of power to each component to keep the drone operating smoothly.
Refer to the instructions for the flight controller and power distribution box to connect them properly, but in most applications, the connection will be one clearly marked wire that plugs directly from one into the other.
The remote control system will come with the remote control itself that you’ll use to pilot your drone. Check to see if your system takes off-the-shelf batteries or is rechargeable. You’ll need to power it to connect it to your flight control system.
If your components don’t have a simple connector, refer to the instruction manual for the speed controller to assess the best way to connect them. You may need to solder the wire directly to a port on the motor itself. If so, check the manual for the motor as well, to ensure you’re soldering the wire to the correct port.
You’ll need the drone’s flight controller powered to connect it to the remote control system. Many drone operators choose to purchase and charge multiple batteries, as each one will only power the drone in flight for a few minutes before needing to be recharged again.
On many applications, this connection is easy to establish: simply hold the sync button on both the remote control and the flight controller while they’re near each other and the two will link up.
Use the left stick to control speed and direction. Use the right stick to control the orientation of the drone (leaning left or right, angled up or down).
