PLUGGING INTO THE AERIAL SURVEILLANCE
Ever been curious about how all the Motors and Propellers sync aerodynamically with the Flight Control System with on the mark altitude adjustment and Electronic Speed Controls? Now that you have the “frame-that-works” along with all the “technicalities”, piecing together that quad won’t take forever!
Starting with the most essential component, Frame, where all the other components of a multi-copter sit, is chosen according to the controller’s need. Irrespective of the material used, glueing together the two laths must attribute its shape to letter “X”.
The power reserves of the drone, “motors” and the “propellers”, form an essential network as they together initiate and sustain ascend, descend and hover movements. To connect a motor, you need to solder 3 motor wires to motor solder pads on one side of the ESC(Electronic Speed Control), these 3 tabs are close to each other and biggest on ESCs.
Adjust that wrench and grab those pliers to fit the aide to the motor, the propeller! Put beneath the motors, match the red caps of the propeller to the red paint on the motor and other two caps to the unpainted motors, fastening it in the direction indicated by the lock symbol on the propeller.
Complementing these reserves is ESC’s, which is placed along with the motors and propellers, following the size of your copter, to ensure reliability and quality! Assembling the motors first, note down proper measurements and drill screw holes on the frame, generally, two holes are made to allow unrestricted movement of the clip and shaft.
Next on the list, you need to mount the Electronic Speed Controller which accounts for continuous regulation of speed, the relative direction of rotation and real dynamic braking! There is one ESC to each motor, attached on the arm of the drone between the flight controller and the motor.
Manoeuvring to the part so far preserved, The Flight Controller(FC) or the heart of the drone that monitors the onboard electrical components under the supervision of Arduino-like microprocessor and an array of sensors. The ESC, located on the edges of the board, is soldered to the Power Distribution Board(PDB) and FC, two wires per ESC connect it to FC. In Naza flight controller the rear right motor is labelled motor 1 and is connected to connector 1 while the front left motor, generally, motor 4 is connected to connector 4 on your FC. The motor 1 & 3 are counter-clockwise, motor 2 and 4 are clockwise. Assembling the motors first as per the rotation (1,3 CCW AND 2,4 CW), note down proper measurements and drill screw holes on the frame, generally, two holes are made to allow unrestricted movement of the clip and shaft.
Tuning in to the Radio Control System having the Transmitter, held in your hand and the Receiver, plugged into the Flight Controller, Open the Naza terminal and check the Values to automatically resonate with 4 channels Roll, Pitch, Yaw and Throttle Control. Add the additional channels for the flight modes and gimbal control if required. Understand the different led blink patterns of the FC to understand the behaviour.
To install the LiPo battery, ensure the charging levels properly, it shouldn’t be fully charged or discharged. The battery is slid into the drone swiftly with its plug connected to that of the PDB. Velcro strips are used to hold the battery tightly to the drone’s structure!
With a couple of zip ties, the GPS mount is secured at the end of one of the arms. The GPS module, which is glued to the top of the GPS mount through a sticky tape, should be in such a way that it points towards the front of the drone while it’s cable is plugged into the navigator shield.
Finally, to wrap up the quad you need a chassis plate which harbours the ESC, Battery, Motors, cameras and led. Attached to the frame with screws are flexible legs of the chassis plate which help in shockproof landing!
Eager to see how hard work pays off? Punch the waypoints and take your quad for a spin!!!
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