So, you’re intrigued by the idea of flying your very own drone, and the magic of 3D printing has caught your eye? You might be thinking it’s a complex endeavor, but creating a 3D printed drone is surprisingly accessible, especially if you have some basic soldering skills. This guide will walk you through the essential components and steps to get your DIY drone project off the ground.
Essential Parts for Your 3D Printed Drone
To embark on this exciting project, you’ll need to gather a few key components. These parts are readily available from online retailers specializing in drone and hobby parts, such as Banggood, eBay, Hobbyking, Aliexpress, and Gearbest. Let’s break down each essential part:
Motors
Price: Starting at $7 per motor
Brushless motors are the way to go for drones, offering efficiency and power. The motor size you choose will depend on the overall size of your 3D printed drone frame. For a smaller 160mm frame, 1306-3100kv motors are a popular choice. Let’s decipher those numbers: the first two digits (e.g., 13 in 1306) represent the motor’s diameter, and the last two (e.g., 06 in 1306) indicate its height or thickness. The KV rating is crucial – it tells you how fast the motor will spin per volt applied. Higher KV motors are generally used for smaller, faster drones, prioritizing RPM, while lower KV motors offer more torque, which can be beneficial for larger drones or those carrying heavier payloads.
ESCs (Electronic Speed Controllers)
Price: Starting at $5 per ESC
The ESC is responsible for controlling the speed of each motor based on signals from the flight controller. When selecting ESCs, it’s vital to match them to your motors’ specifications. For example, with 2204 motors, 20A ESCs (like the popular Favourite Littlebee) are a good match. For smaller motors like 1306, 10A or 12A ESCs will suffice. You’ll encounter two main firmware types for multirotor ESCs: SimonK and BLHeli. BLHeli is often preferred for its user-friendliness in programming and configuration. For a smaller 3D printed drone build, Multistar 10A BLHeli ESCs are a solid option. For larger builds with 2204 motors, consider LittleBee 20A ESCs for enhanced performance.
Flight Controller
Price: Starting at $13
Think of the flight controller as the brain of your 3D printed drone. For DIY drones, especially racing or 3D printed models, Naze32 and CC3D flight controllers are highly recommended. Naze32 is a popular choice due to its extensive configuration options and ability to program ESCs directly through the flight controller itself, which simplifies setup. Both Naze32 and CC3D are excellent options, but Naze32’s flexibility often makes it a favorite among enthusiasts. For Naze32 flight controllers, you can use free software like CleanFlight, BaseFlight, or BetaFlight for configuration. CC3D uses OpenPilot, also a free and user-friendly software. A Naze 32 Rev 6 flight controller is a cost-effective and powerful option for your build.
Power Distribution Board (PDB) or BEC
Price: Starting at $3
A Power Distribution Board (PDB) isn’t strictly necessary, but it’s highly recommended for a cleaner and more organized wiring setup in your 3D printed drone. The PDB simplifies power distribution from the battery to your ESCs, flight controller, and other components like cameras and video transmitters (VTX). Many PDBs come with an integrated Battery Eliminator Circuit (BEC), which provides a regulated 5V output to power your flight controller. While some ESCs have built-in BECs, high-performance ESCs are often OPTO versions, meaning they lack a BEC. If you use OPTO ESCs and skip the PDB, you’ll need a separate 5V BEC to power your flight controller.
Radio and Receiver
Price: Starting at $50
This component might represent a larger portion of your budget, especially if you’re new to RC hobbies. Ensure your radio transmitter has at least 6 channels and uses a PPM/CPPM receiver. PPM/CPPM receivers are more convenient than traditional PWM receivers because they reduce wiring complexity. The FlySky FS i6 radio with an ia6B receiver is a fantastic, budget-friendly option, often favored for its reliability and features, even compared to more expensive radios.
Battery Cable and Connector
Price: Around $2
You’ll need a battery cable and connector to link your battery to the PDB. The most common battery connector type is the XT60 male. Select a battery cable that is adequately thick to handle at least twice the maximum current draw of your drone’s system to ensure safety and efficiency.
Camera and Video Transmitter (VTX) – Optional
Price: Starting at $15 for camera & $12 for VTX
If you plan to experience First Person View (FPV) flying with your 3D printed drone, you’ll need a camera and a 5.8GHz VTX. There’s a wide variety of FPV cameras available, differing in sensor type (CMOS, CCD), resolution (600TVL to 1000TVL and beyond), and size. The choice depends on your budget and drone size. For a small 160mm drone, a micro 600TVL camera is a compact and economical choice. For the VTX, the Skyzone 200mw 5.8 VTX is a highly regarded, affordable, and small option. Camera/VTX combos are also available, offering even more compact solutions, typically around $30. Don’t forget antennas if you’re setting up FPV, and you’ll also need FPV goggles or a monitor with a receiver to see the camera feed. Good quality FPV goggles and receivers are now available at very accessible prices.
Link to some cameras examples.
Propellers
Price: Starting at $2 for 4 props
While you could technically 3D print propellers using materials like ABS, it’s generally recommended to purchase dedicated drone propellers for durability and performance reasons. Choose propellers that match the size and motor specifications of your 3D printed drone. DALprop propellers, particularly the DAL bullnose and DAL Cyclone series (available in 2-blade and 3-blade versions), are popular for their exceptional durability and thrust capabilities.
Hardware
Price: Around $1
To securely mount your flight controller and PDB (if used) to your 3D printed frame, plastic M3 screws and nuts are ideal. Plastic hardware is preferable to metal as it avoids potential short circuits in your electronics. A comprehensive box of plastic M3 screws and nuts is very inexpensive and will be invaluable for your drone build and future projects.
Installation and Wiring Basics
Once you have all the necessary components, it’s time to assemble your 3D printed drone. The wiring process is more straightforward than you might think, often described as almost “plug and play.”
Here’s a simplified overview of the connections:
- Battery Connection: Connect the battery wires to the battery input on your PDB.
- Motor to ESC Connection: Solder each motor wire to the corresponding ESC wires. The order doesn’t initially matter for brushless motors, as motor direction can be adjusted later in the ESC programming (especially with BLHeli ESCs).
- ESC Power: Connect the positive and negative power wires from each ESC to the positive and negative terminals on your PDB (or directly to the battery if not using a PDB, though a PDB is recommended).
- ESC Signal to Flight Controller: Connect the signal wire from each ESC to the motor output signal pins on your flight controller (typically labeled 1, 2, 3, 4). The specific motor order will depend on your flight controller firmware and can be configured in the software (Cleanflight, Betaflight, OpenPilot, etc.).
- Powering the Flight Controller: Connect the 5V output from your PDB (or BEC) to the 5V input on your flight controller. The 5V input is often located on one of the motor output pin rows.
- Receiver Connection: Connect the positive (5V), negative (ground), and PPM/CPPM signal wire from your receiver to the corresponding pins on your flight controller.
- FPV Camera and VTX (If Applicable): Connect the 5V output from your PDB to power your FPV camera. Connect the appropriate voltage output (e.g., 12V, check your VTX specs) from your PDB to power your VTX. Connect the video signal wire from your camera to the video input on your VTX.
Recommendation: Minimize the use of unnecessary connectors by soldering connections directly whenever possible. Connectors can introduce potential points of failure and take up valuable space, particularly on smaller 3D printed drone frames.
Conclusion
Building a 3D printed drone is a rewarding project that combines the excitement of DIY with the fascinating technology of drones. By understanding the essential components and following these basic wiring guidelines, you can create your own custom flying machine. With readily available parts and a bit of patience, you’ll be soaring through the skies with your very own 3D printed drone in no time. Happy building and safe flying!
