A quadcopter can hang in one place and take photos and videos, which is why many photographers keep up with progress and buy quadcopters for video shooting.

Quadcopters burst into our lives along with technical progress. Today, ordering electronics for a quadcopter from China is very cheap. Assembling a quadcopter frame with your own hands from scrap materials is not at all difficult. You can learn to fly with the help of flight simulators. So the main thing is to have the desire to make a quadcopter with your own hands.

It is best to buy ready-made electronics for a quadcopter.

Details of a homemade quadcopter

Motors for quadcopter, 4 pcs - D2822/14 1450kv

Of course, the additional purchase of a small quadcopter is a little expensive, but by flying one you will learn how to control it and will be able to fly a large quadcopter with a camera without falling! And you can always give a small toy to a child.

And finally, short video flight on a quadcopter, recording from a camera.

In this article, we looked at the basic principles of making homemade quadcopters. If you want to know more, see the section

iskra comments:

how to make a quadcopter so that it flies within a radius of 500 meters with a real-time camera that displays the image on the screen

chelovek comments:

Guys, help!
I want to build a quadrick on the Arduino Mega platform using these components:

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The main reason that people are interested in assembling quadcopters is the desire to save money on purchasing an original device. However, this is not the only reason. Many are interested in this issue, since the hobby of flying a UAV grows into something more, for example, participating in quadcopter races, and winning them is possible only by practicing as often as possible and refining the design of your flying drone.

Those who really want it have the best chance of assembling a quadcopter with their own hands. To simplify this task to simple assembly, you need to acquire the appropriate set of parts. Their cost is several times lower than that of RTF-style quadcopters. The reason for this is that the user is responsible not only for assembling the structure, but also for firmware, calibration and fine-tuning of the device. The main advantage of such kits is that there is no need to select the power of motors, chips and body weight.

There is also no point in worrying about the balance of the design, which directly affects the behavior of the device in the air. In this case, the quadcopter will have all the planned characteristics, including speed and flight time. When choosing a kit, you can choose whether the quadcopter will be monolithic or collapsible, i.e. modular. The latter option will be of more interest to those who want to have a fairly large, but at the same time easily portable model. It is worth noting that such models often have a very aggressive and unattractive design.

This is because the kit does not include an outer casing, which performs both protective and decorative functions. The assembly sequence of such structures is indicated in the instructions supplied with the kits of parts. Typically, the assembly of such quadcopters begins with the installation of complete motors on an exoskeleton made of plastic, metal or carbon. Following them, PIN cables are installed, which act as power regulators for the installed motors. Next, the signal receiver and the main brain center - the control module - are attached to the body.

At the end of the assembly, a battery, clamps, LEDs and other modules are installed that distinguish the model from others. On this step by step assembly ends, and all the fun begins, namely the process of flashing the device, its calibration and fine-tuning, which, depending on the component manufacturer, can last from half an hour to three hours. It is important that the battery is fully charged at the time of flashing. Otherwise, this process may fail.

Assembly from scrap materials

It’s unfortunate, but it’s still not possible to assemble a full-fledged quadcopter entirely from scrap materials. In any case, you will have to purchase a kit of parts. But you can buy them not as a whole set, but take only the most necessary ones. These include motors, propellers, a control board with a receiver, and a battery.

This is all that is needed to simply lift the quadcopter into the air and control it using the equipment. In order to prevent this set of components from falling into pieces in the air, it is necessary to secure them to a durable but lightweight body. You can make it from scrap materials. Anything can be used, from ice cream sticks to plastic caps and bottles.

As for additional purchases, you will also need to purchase equipment, since without it it will be extremely difficult to control the assembled device. You can find a quadcopter diagram online, or come up with it yourself. When creating a hull, it is worth remembering flight qualities, balance, stability and lightness of construction.

Otherwise, the device may turn not into a UAV, but into a crawling mini fan with remote control. It will be possible to refine the created design endlessly, so during the first assembly you don’t have to try too hard, so as not to lose interest during the work.

To make the technical part as balanced as possible without using complex calculations, you can use a little trick. You can select a specific common model and order components for it from the basic list. When ordering, it is important to specify the details correctly. So, the order list should contain 2 motors of right rotation and 2 left rotation.

They must be paired with appropriate screws - right-handed and left-handed. Otherwise the device will not function. There is always a possibility that when assembling parts you may encounter defective blanks, so some can even be ordered in duplicate in case of replacement. Unlike the factory kits described above, such a device cannot be assembled from ordinary parts with bare hands and a screwdriver. You will have to work with a soldering iron, a glue gun, electrical tape and double-sided tape.

This is the only way to get the desired quadcopter. Once a working model is obtained, it can be upgraded at your discretion. Add antennas, LEDs, beepers (tweeters) and other parts that increase the functionality of your home quadcopter.

Step-by-step assembly of a quadcopter with your own hands: main advice

Before you rush headlong into assembling your own quadcopter, evaluate your strengths without looking away from reality. Consider not only your ability to work with such a dangerous tool as a soldering iron, but also your financial capabilities, i.e. how much you can spend on components for the quadcopter without compromising your personal budget. And only after that start active activities.

You can buy excellent quadcopters at - free delivery throughout Russia and the CIS, good prices!

Useful videos on how to assemble a quadcopter with your own hands

First, having selected the size of the square, I began sketching the drawing on a piece of wallpaper.

By the way, I chose size 45 - universal, since this is my first drone, and I don’t know in which direction I will develop it.

Having collected all the fiberglass at home, I began cutting out two identical bases, between which the rays would be sandwiched.


The material for making the beams was an aluminum square profile 10*10mm

Preview version...
I fastened the beams between the bases using screws and nuts, I couldn’t think of anything else)

Let's move on...
The legs and chassis were also made from fiberglass. Having drawn a sketch, I started cutting the blanks

Then he started torturing the screwdriver

Despite everything, the drone still stood on its own feet)

And now - weighing. The weight of the frame, without any equipment, was 263 grams. I think this is a fairly acceptable weight, but what do you think?

Now that the frame is assembled, you can begin installing the components.
I chose these motors and regulators:
EMAX XA2212 820KV 980KV 1400KV Motor With Simonk 20A ESC
Product http://www.site/ru/product/1669970/ Brain, everyone knows cc3d
CC3D Flight Controller
Product http://www.site/ru/product/1531419/ Battery:
Lithium polymer battery ZIPPY Flightmax 3000mAh 3S1P 20C
Product http://www.site/ru/product/8851/
Motors with standard crosses were attached to the beams with bolts and nuts



The motors are installed. I taped the regulators on electrical tape, with the radiators to the beams.



Then the power distribution board was placed between the fiberglass plates

Soldered everything necessary wires(regulators, side lights).
Perfectionists should not watch)))

I checked the functionality...

Having installed the power distribution board, I began installing the brains. Tritely stuck them on 2-sided tape.

Did the same with the receiver

The battery is secured using Velcro on the bottom base of the quad.

That's all! The flight weight of the quadcopter is 993 grams. Having stitched flight controller, went outside for the first tests.

Watch the flight video from 2.50 minutes

The quadcopter was built at the end of summer 2016, now it is the beginning of 2017. During this period, the quadcopter spent a sufficient amount of time in the sky. At the moment, the copter is intact, there was not a single crash, I slightly modernized it to install a camera on board. In the future I want to learn how to fly fpv on it. Now I’m slowly starting to assemble an Fpv system, a video transmitter, I’ve already ordered a receiver))

Thanks to everyone who read the above, if you have questions, advice, suggestions - write in the comments. Below are photographs taken by a camera mounted on a quadcopter, as well as the quadcopter itself.

With UV. Alexei

Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) are high-tech, expensive equipment. However, amateur-level “drones” seem quite affordable. It is no coincidence that in recent years small drones, including those assembled by hand, have been rapidly gaining popularity among ordinary people. The new, so-called FPV (First Person View) technology, a first-person view, gives a unique flight experience to everyone. Radio-controlled aircraft modeling has always been in demand among youth society. The advent of drones has only spurred this demand, which is easily satisfied if you buy a ready-made flying car or assemble a drone with your own hands.

A quadcopter (drone) is a design of an unmanned aerial vehicle, one of the most popular aircraft modeling projects.

The easiest way to acquire a UAV is to simply buy a quadcopter (drone), since the market (including the Internet) freely provides this opportunity.

However, for greater interest and for the purpose of a better understanding of what a drone is, it is more practical and economical to assemble a quadcopter with your own hands (DIY - Do It Yourself), for example, from a kit finished parts. A more serious option is to assemble a quadcopter (drone) from scratch using a minimum of ready-made components.

What is needed to assemble a quadcopter (drone)

Before you start assembling the drone yourself, you will need to decide on the components to create a quadcopter (drone). Therefore, let's look at the list of basic components that make up (the drone):

Quadcopter frame

The frame of a drone (quadcopter) can be built using different materials:

• metal,
• plastic,
• wooden.

If the choice fell on a wooden drone frame (as the simplest from a technology point of view), you will need wooden plank about 2.5-3.0 cm thick, 60-70 cm long.

The board is cut in such a way as to obtain two planks 60 cm long and 3 cm wide. These two planks are the structure of the future quadrant of the quadcopter.

The drone frame structure is built by simply intersecting two wooden planks under the “X” frame factor. The resulting frame is reinforced with a rectangular piece - stitching - in the central part. The size of the rectangle is 6 × 15 cm, thickness 2 mm. The material is also wood.

The classic quadcopter (drone) frame configuration, which is used in most cases of DIY assembly. Option shown with installed motors and controller

Other dimensions of the quadcopter (drone) frame other than those stated are not excluded, but we should not forget about maintaining the proportions. The joining of frame parts is usually done with nails and glue.

Instead of wood, it is allowed to use metal or plastic of the same size. However, the methods of connecting the planks will be different.

Below is a list of ready-made carbon quadcopter frames (drones) available on the market:

• LHI 220-RX FPV
• Readytosky FPV
• iFlight XL5
• RipaFire F450 4-Axis
• Usmile X style
• Readytosky S500

Motors, ESC modules, propellers

To make a classic quadcopter (drone), you need to have 4 engines. Accordingly, if an octocopter project is conceived, eight engines will be required.

One of the options for manufacturing quadcopter (drone) motor propellers. The material chosen is hard plastic, taking into account the small dimensions of the structure

In Russian, the ESC (Electronic Speed ​​Controllers) module of a quadcopter is called a speed controller. This is no less important part of an unmanned aerial vehicle than an electric motor.

ESC modules are responsible for the correct transfer of power to the drone’s motors. The number of quadcopter modules corresponds to the number of electric motors.

• Emax RS2205 2600KV Brushless Motors
• DLFPV DL2205 2300KV Brushless Motors
• Gemfan GT2205 2650KV Brushless Motors
• HOBBYMATE Quadcopter Motors Combo

• 35A ESC BlHeli32 32bit DSHOT1200
• Thriverline Sunrise ESC 20A BLHeli-S

You can buy 9-inch metal propellers. These products are freely available on the market at an affordable price.

Metal structures are durable and do not bend under high loads during flight. However, for higher screw performance – the best option carbon propellers. For example, these:

• BTG Quick Release Carbon Fiber Reinforced Propellers
• Performance 1245 Black Propellers MR Series
• YooTek 4 Pairs Foldable Quick Release Propellers
• Myshine 9450 Self-tightening Propeller Props
• Jrelecs 2 Pairs Carbon Fiber Propellers

Electronics and power module

A set of electronics for drones (quadcopters) traditionally consists of a flight controller and wireless system management. This also includes the power module, since most power modules are equipped with an electronic battery monitoring system.

Battery charge status – important point flight. It is difficult to imagine what will happen to the device if the battery is discharged, for example, during a flight over a body of water.

The flight controller maintains the stability of the quadcopter's flight by processing data regarding wind direction and strength, as well as many other parameters.

Flight controller on the STM32F103C8T6 chip: 1, 2 — tweeter (+; -); 3 - flow; 4 - RCCI; 5 — body; 6 - 5 volts; 7 - battery; 8, 9 - UART TX, RX; 10 — strip indicator; 11, 12, 13, 14 — motors; 15 — PPM

The controller, as a rule, is equipped with so-called “firmware” - a memory chip where basic information is recorded for a chip similar to an AVR microcontroller.

The flight controller can be purchased at ready-made version, but assembling the circuit yourself is also possible. True, for the second option you need to have the skills of an electronics engineer and the appropriate ones. Therefore, it is easier to use ready-made solutions. For example, one of the following:

ArduPilot– a high-quality controller (expensive), designed for aircraft unmanned control. The firmware is distinguished by the presence of fully automated flight modes. The system provides high technical characteristics.

OpenPilot CC3D– a system based on Digital Motion Processor, equipped with a whole family of flight management sensors. Includes a three-dimensional accelerometer and gyroscope. The project is quite easy to configure and install. There is a user manual.

NAZE32– is also a fairly flexible and powerful system, but seems somewhat complicated in terms of configuration. Equipped with an advanced firmware program.

KK2– one of the popular solutions, which is often chosen by beginners, since the controller is relatively inexpensive and is equipped with an LCD display. The basis of the circuit is the AVR microcontroller, one of the latest modifications. The circuit provides for connecting MPU6050 sensors. However, the setup is only manual.

Wireless system remote control consists of a transmitter and receiver of radio signals. The remote control system not only controls the flight, but also controls the position of the aircraft installed on the drone.

Drone (quadcopter) control panel in the classic variation of a radio signal transmitter with the ability to monitor via an LCD display

Here, as a rule, they are used exclusively ready-made solutions. For example, any of the remote control systems in the list below:

• Futaba 10JH 10-Channel Heli T-FHSS Computer Radio System
• Turnigy 9xr PRO Radio Control System
• Spektrum DX8 Radio Transmitter
• YKS FlySky FS-i6 2.4GHz 6 Channels Radio Control System

DIY drone (quadcopter) assembly

Electric motors are installed on the created frame. You may have to calculate the locations of the motors and drill mounting holes in the frame if there are no other options.

Approximately according to this mechanical scheme, it is recommended to mount electric motors on the frame of a quadcopter (drone). True, much in fastening depends on the frame material

Then the speed controllers are installed. Traditionally, these modules are installed on the bottom plane of the frame. Speed ​​controllers are connected directly to the motors via ribbon cables.

Next, a landing module is added to the frame - a part of the structure designed to organize a “soft” landing of the drone. The design of this structural element must provide for shock mitigation when landing on hard ground. Various designs are possible.

The next step is to install the flight controller. The location of this module is not critical. The main thing is to ensure electronics protection and uninterrupted operation.

The drone flight is connected according to the attached diagram to the module (receiver) of the remote control and to electronic board adjusting the speed of the motors. All connections are made using reliable connectors, and the most important points are “situated” on tin solder.

In principle, the main assembly is completed here. But there is no need to rush to cover the drone with its body. It is necessary to test all systems - sensors and other components of the quadcopter, using special software OpenPilot GCS (CC3D and GCS). True, the program release is quite old and may not be supported by new developments.

After the test, the assembled device - an unmanned quadcopter - is ready to fly. In the future, the drone can be easily upgraded - equipped with a video camera and other devices that expand functionality.

Today, ordering electronics for a quadcopter from China is very cheap. Assembling a quadcopter frame with your own hands from scrap materials is not at all difficult. You can learn to fly with the help of flight simulators. So the main thing is to have the desire to make a quadcopter with your own hands.

It is best to buy ready-made electronics for a quadcopter.

DIY radio-controlled quadcopter assembly

First you need to decide whether you will use a standard frame or decide to make your own.

The purchased frame is convenient, but if it breaks, you will have to wait until a spare part arrives. Homemade frame A quadcopter assembled with your own hands allows you to repair a breakdown in 20-30 minutes, but requires additional work when manufacturing the quadcopter.

Most simple option is the use plastic pipes for wiring. They are light and quite durable. In addition, you can buy swivel parts and wall mounts that are suitable for attaching electric motors to the frame.

The result is a very durable design that allows you to carry not only the electronics of the quadcopter itself, but also a camera for video recording from the quadcopter.

An important detail for beginners is the place where you will release your first drone for flights. Urban areas are no longer needed, since houses, trees and wires will interfere with test flights. The park is also not suitable. One wrong move - the vacationer and your newly-made child can suffer. It’s better to go out into an open field and drive the quad for your own pleasure.

List of main spare parts:

O motors with controllers for them;

O battery for quadcopter and remote control;

O flight controller;

O control panel with signal reception and transmission;

O charger;

O connecting wires, bolts, etc.;

O tools for work.

In order to be able to modify the drone in the future to work with video and photography, the base between the copter’s beams should be made wider to later accommodate other devices.

Choosing a quadcopter shape

First of all, you should decide on the number of beams and screws on the copter. There is a wide variety in modifications and external views Flying drones, based on the number of beams emerging from the center of the frame, are tri-, quad-, hexa- and octocopters.
The number of propellers may be greater than the number of beams. But the name doesn't change. For example, a quadcopter has two engines with propellers on each arm - this does not make it an octocopter.

The most popular model among copter pilots remains the quatrocopter with its beams arranged in an X shape. Firstly, two motors at once pull the entire structure forward, and secondly, the attached video camera will not see the propellers in front of it.

What to consider when selecting all spare parts

Based on the expected weight of the complete structure, it is already FPV quadcopter with a camera, you should assemble a copter with powerful motors. This means purchasing additional batteries or installing more capacious ones at once.

Visual assembly video:

YouTube Video

To make the design easier, you can make the frame yourself. There are options: starting from simple wooden rulers, ending aluminum profile or tubes. You can save money on this. The main thing is that the material is durable, since when it falls, the first thing that suffers is the rays of the copter.

Of course, there are ready-made frames, but you should beware of fakes, otherwise after the first crash test at least one “leg” will fly off. During management skills, it is better to use available materials.

Quadcopter beams have optimal parameter— 30-60 cm in length from motor to motor.

To avoid getting hurt and not to mow down the foliage of nearby trees, as well as to test the copter at home, you can put special protection on the propellers.

What will the flight controller and all the other gadgets be attached to? Here, too, you can turn on your imagination. Of course, cardboard will not work, but a square of plywood and a plastic base from a CD box are optimal. It's not heavy and will hold up to whatever needs to be attached.

Motors - you need four of them at once. Propellers are mainly selected by diameter and power. The diameter is taken from the parameters of the frame (if it is homemade, then at your discretion).

Motor control controllers are needed to regulate the speed of rotation of the blades. The power of the engines directly depends on the weight of the drone assembly.

Batteries for motors can vary in capacity. It is better to provide the opportunity to change batteries for higher powers and, of course, use not one, but several at once.

The screws themselves can be taken 9-12 cm. A pair of ordinary ones and 2 with reverse rotation. It is advisable that they come with fasteners for several types of motors at once.

The most important and most expensive part of a quatrocopter is its “brains,” namely the flight controller—you can’t skimp on it. This is where the future capabilities of the drone need to be taken into account. It is better to take a programmable microcontroller (for example, Arduino Mega). The sensors for it can be taken “all in one” All In One (gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer, magnetometer), or at a minimum - a gyroscope and an accelerometer.

Additional functions:

· GPS — flight route programming;

· “soft landing” - fail safe (if radio communication with the remote control is lost, the copter will land smoothly and not crash to the ground);

· FPV (first person view) - first person view, and observation from a tablet.

The transmitter for the control board should be selected according to your budget. The main thing is that there are at least four channels and a frequency of 2.4 GHz. It can be purchased for left-handed or right-handed people.

Of course, you will have to tinker with the wires, but in capable hands this time will pass quickly.

It is better to attach a special soft lining to the legs of the copter or to the beams themselves on the frame to make landing easier on hard surfaces.

It won't be easy, but it will be interesting and entertaining!

In addition to the basic materials, consumables are also required - bolts, nuts, washers.

At this stage, the tools you will need are a hacksaw, a drill and a file.

After all materials are prepared, we begin the process:

· In any convenient way, transfer the drawing to the textolite blank and cut it waste material along the contour.

· Connect all the resulting parts, securing them.

· Prepare holes for the screws (they are red in the drawing) with a drill with a diameter of 3 millimeters.

· After the beams are fixed to the frame, make holes to facilitate the structure (in the drawing these are white circles).

· Prepare holes on the beams for mounting the motor.

· At the last stage, degrease the frame and cover it with double-sided tape to dampen vibrations.

In subsequent stages, you will need the following elements: a board, motor controllers, propellers, motors, a battery and a charger for it, a transmitter and a receiver.

In order to secure the controllers to the adapter board, you should use copper wire without insulation. After this, the power wires, bus wires, and a toggle switch for turning the power on and off are soldered.

When placing controllers on the board, it is worth remembering that they all must be directed to the corresponding motors.
The next stage is installing the engines. It begins with soldering wires to the motor terminals and their insulation. Then the motors themselves are installed at the ends of the beams and secured with bolts on the underside of the “leg”.

After this comes the crucial moment of attaching the “brain” of the quadcopter – the adapter board. It is better to install it on small rubber dampers. It is important to protect the board from moisture and dust, so immediately cover it with any plastic cap. Its shape and transparency depend solely on your preferences and do not affect the safety of the board in any way.

A battery is attached to the prepared compartment, which is also best secured to a rubber layer.

At the last stage, we fix the screws on the motors, connect the transmitter and LED backlight.

From general to specific. The frame of the quad must be strong. A piece of plywood (150 x 150 mm) is suitable for its manufacture; a square aluminum profile (14 x 14 mm) can be used as a frame.

Profiles will also be needed for making beams. The length of each of them from the center of the structure should be 300 mm. By the way, you can attach pieces of foam or rubber to them, which will soften the landing.

Next is installing the board. You need to buy it. It is recommended to purchase a board already equipped with all sensors - gyroscope, accelerometer, barometer and magnetometer - AllInOne. There are also board options with a GPS receiver. The sensors can be attached to the structure using thick tape or silicone - this will help avoid strong vibration.

It must be mounted in the center of the structure. The screws should securely screw the board to the ends of the beams and pass through the plywood. There should be a receiver next to it. It can be glued with superglue.

The quadcopter motors should be located at the same distance. Therefore, before arranging them, you need to make precise markings on the beams and only then drill holes. By the way, the space for the tail of the shaft must be made all the way through, across its entire width, so that it does not touch its edges.

Now a little about the power wires of the speed controllers. They are connected in parallel using adapters. Where the battery is connected to them, a detachable connection should be made.

Now all that remains is to connect the wires to the corresponding motors and install the “brains”. Finding firmware for the board (Arduino) on the Internet is not difficult. First it is downloaded, then the settings. During installation, programs will appear step by step instructions. They must be strictly followed in order to debug the control of the device and calibrate it.

In the program menu there is a section AC2 Sensor. Here the operation of sensors and receivers is checked. All turns and changes in levels must be reflected with maximum accuracy in the oscillations of the needle and LED indicators.

After all this debugging, you can install the propellers and test the flight. In this case, it is better to place the device away from you. Gas should be applied smoothly. If the drone takes off, great. If it starts to shake, you should go to the PID settings. Other nuances of debugging through the program are also possible.

How to wisely choose a motor for a quadcopter? Undoubtedly, this part should be selected based on the characteristics and capabilities of the flying machine. The use of a motor is necessary only in large quadcopters, otherwise its presence will be unjustified and the device simply will not work.

The main rule is that you should choose a motor after final assembly quadcopter. When planning to attach a video camera or other device to a flying device, it is worth considering the additional weight. In order not to overload the device, it is necessary to calculate the thrust, which can be viewed using special tables. For example, if the weight of the device is 1.5 kilograms, then the thrust should be 2 times greater, that is, equal to 3 kilograms.

To choose the right quadcopter engine, you should carefully study all its characteristic properties. The screws of the device play an equally important role. The quadcopter hangs in the air due to several pairs of rotors rotating in different directions.

Just in order for the propellers to work normally, you need to select an engine based on the parameters of your quadcopter. Propellers consume a lot of motor energy, and motor power is important when purchasing.

To select the right motor, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with various videos where you will be told in detail about good parts for a quadcopter. Thanks to the advice that already experienced pilots will give, you can assemble a unique quadcopter with a powerful engine.

Why is it needed? powerful engine? Firstly, it allows the device to fly much faster and longer, and to perform certain maneuvers. Secondly, you can hang additional cargo on the quadcopter, for example, a camera, which will shoot materials while flying at altitude. Due to this, you can take high-quality photographs.

Therefore, you need to select an engine based on what kind of quadcopter you want to build. Should be selected correct power engine, otherwise the device may either not take off or be completely uncontrollable. To avoid this, you need to listen to the advice of experts, and then assembling the quadcopter will be very simple.