Testing Final Deliverable (TFD)

We have some final testing that needs to be done to the quad copter to show the improvements that we made to the drone. We have got 10 50 gram precision weights. This will be used to calculate how much payload our drone can lift. We also have a new battery that should be able to handle the drone voltage and discharge rate. 

Specs of the battery:

Lithium Polymer-LiPo

Max charge rate- 2.6 AMPS (2C)

Battery Specs: 11.1v, 3cell, 1,300 mAh

15-20 C Discharge rate

This battery should increase our battery life by 6 minutes, making the drones battery life last 21 minutes in the air. The numbers are based on calculations by finding out the amount that is discharged from the drone. The number is subject to different results due to real world factor such as the amount of wind when testing the battery life. Also at what height was the drone flying at. We can use an altimeter, however this adds weight to the drone, so we just use fishing line and measure how much line was being spooled out. 

The testing data will be posted in the coming days. Stay tuned for results

Thanks, 

Have a good day

Pictures of changes

(figure 1. above shows side view of 3d printed frame)

(figure 2. above shows another side view of 3d printed frame)

(figure 3. above shows the connections on the end of the drone)

These are pictures of the quad copter after modifications have been made to it as listed in the post early.

Modifications- We received the 3-D printed part that will now replace the Styrofoam body of our modified quad copter. Upon observation we noticed it wasn't going to fit correctly so we had to dremel and drill a few sections to get it to fit within the center console of the quad copter. upon doing so, it fit snugly into place. However we were not fully satisfied with the turn out and did not like the amount of weight the new part added. To account for this we redrew the part using creo parametic and designed the part to have an internal honeycomb structure, this in turn would cut down about 1/3 of the weight. Also when remodeling we accounted for the modifications we made to the previous part with the dremel and were proactive to correct them in the 3D computer model before printing it this time. Pictures will be posted shortly.

Week 7/8-  This past week our group disassembled  the quad copter and stripped it of all unnecessary weight (i.e plastic and Styrofoam). A problem arose, and we realized we needed to develop a new mounting method of securing the center console to the frame of the quad copter. To do this we modeled a new part, using Creo Parametric, and had it 3-D printed. We then installed the new part and are awaiting this weeks follow up testing. Results to follow shortly.

This is footage from our test in how we calculated the amount of thrust the drone can produce.

Creo Design

This is a screen shot of the model of the AR drone we made in creo.

Meeting Review for Week 5

This week we have finally gotten some testing done. We have gotten the speed trials done, however we did have some battery issues so not all of the testing could be completed. However we did get the speed tests done. Based on the data patterns can be seen. The drone was moving at a constant velocity in almost all cases. This means it will be very easy to compare to the new data once we modify the drone.

               Outside factors seem to have some impact on how fast the drone moves. This can be attributed to wind speed and battery life. The trials showed that the drone tended to move faster towards the end of its battery life but it was slower to start up. Also wind speed affects how the drone handles. Since the drone is so light wind has a major effect on handling and speed. If the wind is in the direction the drone is moving, it will naturally speed up. The opposite happens when the wind is against the drone, it tends to slow down because it is fighting the wind.

This is the data that we received from the tests. As you can see all of the data required linear curve fits. That means that the velocity remains constant. As the distance increases the time also increases at the same rate. So this means once we modify the drone this test will be viable to compare the new drone to the old one. If the drone has a steeper slope in the graph we will then be able to see that it does move faster.