Custom fc drone project
Hardware- 12 Devlogs
- 24 Total hours
I designed a custom PCB in kicad and firmware for a working 3.5 inch FPV drone
Waiting on a reviewer. We'll let you know as soon as there's a decision.
Hello!
there seems to be no firmware that is attached to the project! You have included things like brushless motors and 3D files, but without the firmware, nothing will work! Please attach the firmware files! I see that you have added a .hex file, but that won't be sufficient.
Hello!
Great work on this project! However, I noticed that the schematic that you have in your repo is blank. Therefore, we cannot confirm whether you were the one who made the actual PCB (Which shows).
After this is done, we will take another look, and if everything is good, you will be approved! :D
Heyo! Your project is super cool! Your repository looks good, but we do require .step files instead of .stl files. Also, if you are really intending on using the drone frame from Maker World, I would suggest converting it to a .step and making a full assembly of your project. That is to help us see what your project will look like and to help you assemble everything when you get the funding. Keep up the good work!
Custom FC V5 is here: I have made a LOT of changes like last time.
Changes:
- Board size:
It went from 39x36mm to 32x30mm. This was a lot more challenging compared to 39x36 since I had to pack everything so closely and there was so little space for larger traces. I made these changes because I decided to place the flight controler in a 2 inch drone instead of 3.5 inch.
woah this is really cool! however we can't fund the DJI FPV. it also might be worth it to look at other 6S chargers, like this: https://www.amazon.com/SKYRC-B6Neo-Balance-Battery-Discharger/dp/B0CCT2WGNS/. otherwise it looks great, keep it up!
The FC should be done maybe this time?? I said it was done but I realized that I made the capacitor sizes wrong. I did everything at the 0402 size, which is actually too small for some components like the 22uF capacitors. So now, my 22uf capacitors are at 0805 and my 1uf capacitors are 0605. I also changed my led’s to be smaller(0402) because it was going to get squished by the TPU mounts for the FC. Finally, I added 3d models to all of the components and I modified the board edge so that the USBC port would stick out, and so that the board would not be as big.
I have made edits to my FC again because I realized how hard soldering everything would be. I would need a hot plate and heat gun to solder and that might not be enough. Before, all of the electronic components were on the bottom, and the MCU and GYRO(and their respective electronics) were on the top. If I actually wanted to do it this way, I would need to spend like 500$ for a reflow oven or something. Now, everything is on the top level and I made the Schotty diode further from the MCU bu pushing the USB-C cable further away. Oh yeah, I left the 8 pin JST connecter on the bottom so it can connect to the ESC.
I have finished the FC!. The shape is a bit weird, mainly the top right corner. That is because the 3d frame that I will be using cuts really close to there so im not taking any risks! Compared to my last design, this one has way less capacitors and resisters which make it cheaper and easier to solder. I have like 10 pads for different functions like boot, future GPS extensions and VTX and ESC connectivity. For the VTX and ESC, I added backup pads just in case the JST connecters dont work or pin order is different. I have also worked on the firmware/software for it.
Hello! This is an amazing project idea, and I love that you are making a drone! I personally love drones, so this project really touches me. However, you are missing the firmware for the project. I don't see anything regarding the code that is going to make the drone run. Please add that. Once that is done, we will review your project and **hopefully** give you the approval you want if everything is right! :D
Instead of using a AIO FC and ESC, Im using a 20x20 stack. This is because I realized that if I designed it myself, the components would be way to close together and cause problems. Next up is designing the PCB
I have created phase A,B, and C for MOTOR_1. these are the 3 mosfets and FD6288Q IC. I need to repeat this 4 times in total. Im currently looking for a better alternative for the MCU because I would need to have 4 of them so I need a 48 pin MCU that is compatible and its really hard to find
I was going through my schematic and I realized that I made some major mistakes that could cause the FC to not work. I let AI scan it and a bunch of my resistor and capacitor calculations were wrong, and my pin wiring was messed up so I had to redo the entire thing again. Im planning on also making it an AIO instead so I get the ESC and FC on the same board.
User requested a return
I finished tracing all of the lines for the FC. I also put it into JLCPCB its crazy expensive like $130 usd without shipping
Made a LOT of progress today. I have finished the schematic(updated for 3s batteries) and finished organizing the PCB layout. im trying to make it as small as possible and as good looking, but currently isnt looking too good because the gyro cannot be too close to high voltage components so I need to isolate them and it just doesnt look too good(3d viewer)
I just finished configuring everything in the schematics editor in kicad. Right now, im designing a custom FC for my drone because im not allowed to use a prebuilt one. Next up is designing it in the PCB editor
hi, cool project! however, there are a few things you need to fix to get approved. your design consists of only a CAD and you use prebuilt electronic parts like the SpeedyBee flight computer. instead of that, i can approve your project if you design your own flight computer! basically you need to design more electronics yourself and submit for a lower tier since drones aren't usually X tier unless they're extremely complex. otherwise it's a super cool idea and i like what you've done so far, keep it up!
devlog2: I did a whole redesign of my original drone. I have also figured out the purpose of the drone now and what it will do.
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The goal of this drone is to carry up to 1 kg of stuff under it and be able to drop it off at a designated point, flying autonomously without human input. The only input it needs is before takeoff, telling it where to go and what to do using ArduPilot firmware and Inav.
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Currently, the dorone doesnt exactly look too good, because I haven’t refined the details yet it’s just the general shape that it’s going to be. The big square/rectangle thing you see at the top is a 6s Lipo Battery, and it looks really bad just siting there on the image but in real life it should look pretty good
devlog1: Im creating an autonomous drone (which the purpose I have not figured out). So far, I have finished working on the 3d modelling of the drone and choosing parts for it. Im going to submit for funding soon so I can actually start building it.
