so, current projects for stuff I am working, or have built:
QuadRotor / RoboWasp:
Approx footprint: 1.25 meter (4 feet).
Approx weight estimate: 15-25 lbs
Estimated max thrust: 56 lbs (at 480 watt, or 12v 40amp)
Power Source: Have a 9Ah (24Ahr) LiFePO4 battery.
Bulk Construction: Wood, Cardboard, Urethane Foam, 3D printed plastic
Status: pretty early / slow-moving.
Have some materials;
Have begun experimenting with 3D printed propellers and gearboxes for it.
Uncertain:
Switch from batteries as primary power-source to a small ICE
Chainsaw engines are cheapest, but reasonably large/heavy (approx 12 lbs, + fuel).
May imply increasing power-profile to compensate (24v 1.0-1.5 kW ?).
May need bigger motors/... if going to higher power.
Otherwise, need to find a reasonably small/cheap chainsaw engine.
An RC engine would put out sufficient power for the current size range.
However, RC engines are more expensive than chainsaw engines.
RC 4-cycle gas engines are particularly expensive (vs "nitro" engines).
Issue is mostly that a 9Ah battery will limit flight times to a matter of minutes.
Bigger batteries could also work, but:
A large bank of LiFePO4 or LiPo/LiON cells would cost more than using an ICE.
NiMH would be a little cheaper, but have a harder time producing large amperage.
Would need 3x10 or 4x10 NiMH D-Cells to deliver power, or around $200 worth of batteries.
So, around similar cost to using an RC ICE.
Should still be cheaper than LiFe or LiPo cells at least.
CNC Milling Machine:
Outer size estimate: 24x24x40 inch
Table Size: ~12 inch.
Power Source: PC / ATX power supply.
Status:
Need to build box and physically assemble it.
Main issue ATM is getting the wood cut up into the appropriate sized panels, and getting it assembled.
Partial Reason: Need tools to cut and drill the wood (out of scope of small hand-tools and a hacksaw).
It is outside what is viable to build out of cardboard.
Spinning motors/etc, not much use without the box and structural parts.
Cardboard Box Robot:
Size: Approx 20x24x12 inch.
Weight: about 12 lbs (includes 6lb PbAc battery).
Approx power: 1/10HP (uses about 100W of power though during operation, and about 9W when idle).
Power Source: 9Ah 12v PbAc UPS battery.
Construction: Cardboard, 3D Printed Plastic, Duct Tape and Hot Glue.
Status: Built /...
