Prerequisites
Platform and Booms
Before starting the actual frame
assembly, you need to cut out your
platform parts. You will also need to
drill holes in your booms and
platforms. In the last article, I listed the
parts and sizes for the booms. I also
listed the sizes for the platform pieces.
However, in order to make the
platform fit on a single 12" x 12" sheet
of hobby ply, I changed the overall size
of the platform. The platform pieces
are now 5-3/8" x 5-3/8". This will also
allow you to use an inexpensive coping
saw to cut the parts out.
On the Kronos Robotics website,
there is a PDF file that contains the
printable templates used to cut out
and drill these parts. You can
download the templates and
instructions for cutting the parts at
www.kronosrobotics.com/multirot
or/kronosflyer/assembly.
If you want to paint the parts,
this is the time to do it. I have found
that acrylic paint works very well. If
you paint it with black acrylic paint,
you can get by with one or two coats.
Any other color will most likely require
multiple coats. Sand lightly with a fine
sanding sponge between coats for a
smooth plastic-like finish. The platform
parts and booms should be completed
before proceeding.
motors you choose,
they need to be
assembled. All the
motors listed are
assembled in the same
manner and should
resemble those shown
in Figure 1.
The motor mount is
attached to the bottom
of the motor (the end
with the shaft). The
prop adapter is
attached to the
opposite end. Be sure
to use some green or blue thread lock
on each screw. Just a tiny drop will
keep the parts from vibrating loose.
FIGURE 1.
connectors, and about half of the
male ends as shown in Figure 2. The
exposed portion on the male
connector will be inserted into the
power distribution board.
Propellers
You need to properly balance
your props before installation on your
quad. This is done with a prop
balancer. There are plenty of examples
on how to do this on the web.
Motors
I have added an additional motor
to the bill of materials listed on the
Kronos Robotics website. Whichever
ESCs
In the bill of materials, I list several
choices for ESCs (Electronic Speed
Controller). Of all the ESCs listed, they
can be broken down into two types:
Turnigy Plush and Turnigy MultiStar. If
you are using the MultiStar ESCs, you
can skip this section, since they come
with connectors pre-installed. If you
are using the Plush series, you need to
attach 3. 5 bullet connectors to the
ESC leads. Female bullets connect to
the three motor ends of the ESC leads.
Male bullet connectors are connected
to the two battery ends of the ESC, as
shown in Figure 2.
Be sure to cover the connectors
with heat shrink to keep the leads
from shorting. This means covering
the full length of the female
Frame Assembly
Before starting the assembly,
gather all your parts together like the
ones shown in Figure 3.
Again, if you are going to paint
the wood parts, you should do it
before assembly because you won't be
able to once it’s assembled. I am not
painting the one shown here so it
makes it easier to see the details in
the photos.
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 3.
SERVO 01.2013 59
