New Tricopter Delrin Kit

[timnilson]

UPDATE: Page is up: http://www.fpvmanuals.com/tricopter

The kit is ready and available in the stores:

http://www.getfpv.com/ | http://www.readymaderc.com/

Here are a few pictures and video. Please go to the http://www.fpvmanuals.com/tricopter page for all the specs, etc.


View this video on YouTube

The ZeroYawSlop Yaw assembly uses ball-bearings and an airplane grade aluminum axle for super precise and free spin, without slop:

View this video on YouTube









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Original Post that started it all
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I've been making progress on my Tricopter Delrin Kit that will soon go on sale at fpvmanuals.com. Here is a quick video of the Yaw assembly, which will also be available for sale separately (without the other motor brackets and main body plates). The kit will come with all the screws, nuts, and stand-offs. It's an inspired and improved version of David's/RCEXPLORER design with folding arms. The kit can be assembled with the motors facing up (regular) or the motors facing down for "ZeroPropWash" effect. The Yaw mechanism uses ball bearings and has no slop (ZeroYawSlop). All parts are precision laser cut from strong Delrin. It's a beautiful material and the kit will be available in black or white. The kit will not come with arms, so you can choose your own material and arm length -- any 10mm wood square from the hardware store, or fancy carbon, aluminum, or whatever else you'd like. The arms are easy to make -- it's the Yaw assembly and the rest of the body that are harder to create accurately. Let me know what you think.

Demo of the ball-bearings:


View this video on YouTube

The ZeroYawSlop mechanism in motion. The production version will be shorter and overall shrink the Servo mount (the servo mount will no longer double as the tricopter's foot).


View this video on YouTube

[saucisse]

I've personally flown the prototype and rest assure that this tricopter is real nice !

[timnilson]

I've personally flown the prototype and rest assure that this tricopter is real nice !

Thanks Sebastian. The set up we've flown was with long (20") arms and the motors pointing up. That makes for a good 'slow flyer' that suits FPV. I am now using the kit to build a set up with shorter arms and the motors facing down, which should produce more of an acrobatic flyer. The benefit here is that the kit does not lock you in and you can decide what you want to do with it.

[SENTRY]

I can't wait to get my hands on one

[Ian Davidson]

Yup, reckon I'll be putting in an order too!

[saucisse]

...and you sure know how frustrating it is to get lock in/out !!?? ahahahha sorry Tim! Could not resist

... The benefit here is that the kit does not lock you in and you can decide what you want to do with it.

[airbagit13]

Tim, that is a beautiful design. Sign me up, whats the price and when can I be flying one of these beauties?

[SENTRY]

Tim, that is a beautiful design. Sign me up, whats the price and when can I be flying one of these beauties?

NO! You are on FPV restriction. NO more new toys for you until further notice.

[timnilson]

I can't wait to get my hands on one

Thank you... will keep you guys updated on progress. I am still sourcing a few of the parts (like the ball-bearings). This will likely be an all USA design with all parts produced in the US -- not the cheapest option, but the quality will be top notch.

Yup, reckon I'll be putting in an order too!

Cool!

...and you sure know how frustrating it is to get lock in/out !!?? ahahahha sorry Tim! Could not resist

What's the french word for bastart?
Thanks again for waiting with me for the mechanics to arrive to crack my car open

Tim, that is a beautiful design. Sign me up, whats the price and when can I be flying one of these beauties?

Thank you. I have not yet finalized the price, but it should come in below $100 bucks. It could be below $70 for the complete kit -- still trying to see what some of the component costs will be (ball bearings are not cheap and laser cutting Delrin is also not that affordable, especially at low volumes). So, best guess is between $70 to $100. How does that sound?

I've seen a carbon kit with arms for $129 and I'm hoping to be a good bit below that price. My kit is not carbon and it won't come with arms -- but, both of these things are benefits for FPV and flexibility, I think -- so there is a functional benefit that will also lower the price.

[Derek_S]

That price seems very reasonable to me.

Can you tell me where you source your delrin? I have a project that it might do well for.