Lynxmotion UAV - Hunter VTail 400-500 Creation

Let's Make Robots Robots
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Hi All,

I'd like to share the multicopter design I did a couple of years ago. 

I was designing multicopter frames for a while and a guy who I was dealing with for electronic board contacted me. He said that another guy in France called "Bledi" was using a special frame configuration for his Quadcopter with two motors being angled and he wanted me to design a real frame to replace his home-made version.

That's something I like, to take a basic idea and work around it until something nice comes out of it. His base idea was good and I took the challenge. I would like to thank "Bledi" as well as "JohnyGab" for bringing this project idea to me. 

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On the right side you can see a Lynxmotion promotional video for this Vtail quadcopter. Before you ask me, i'm not the pilot in this video; a very talented pilot called Warthox gave us this footage.

Here are a few shots of the original frame:

I was already using G10 material to create my frames so I kept this for the new build. Than I designed around a two layer system which was reinforced by vertical plates with matching slots. This allows for a strong but lightweight frame while keeping a good structural integrity.

The tail was challenging, I made several drafts but ended up using the same "vertical plate" design in a "V" shape. I also added a reinforcement bar that keeps the assembly together.

Two frame sizes were created keeping the overall frame look and style a 400 and a 500. They shared the same center section but changed arms and tail dimensions to allow for small or large propellers. You can see here the differences between the two frames.

Bledi was happy with the new frame design and so was I. I then started to produce the frame for anyone interested through forums, making them individualy at home on my own CNC under the DiaLFonZo-Copter brand. Later on, the demand was becoming too high and I switched to an outside source for cutting.

Some pictures of the original frame i've cut:

  

In 2013, I joined the RobotShop team as leader of our Lynxmotion UAV line. The VTail frames were therefore added to the new line of Lynxmotion products.

Thanks for reading..!

Note: The VTail configuration is supported by the MultiWii project as well as some others like KK boards. It's a less efficient configuration than a symetric quadcopter but will handle more like a Tricopter with a lot of Yaw potential. Best for sport flying.

This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://community.robotshop.com/robots/show/lynxmotion-uav-hunter-vtail-400-500-creation
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"It’s a less efficient

"It’s a less efficient configuration than a symetric quadcopter but will handle more like a Tricopter with a lot of Yaw potential. Best for sport flying."

You forgot to mention that it looks totally awesome. Cool to hear about the design of this quad. The body that you make give it that futuristic look too.


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I have to give credit to the

I have to give credit to the right person, the “body” was designed by Jonny a friend of mine from InnerbreedFX based on my VTail 3D files and my inputs. He is amazing at making 3D shapes and designs. Take a look at his Shapeways page as well… :wink:

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What’s the advantage of the v-tail on it?

Dear: DiaLFonZo

What is the advantage of the v-tail on it? Honestly it looks a little stupid having a v-tail unless it actually does something for the quadcopter. Thanks!!!

From: Noah

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The guy who flew that was

The guy who flew that was really really good.  Very cool design. 

Thanks for sharing!

Regards,

Bill 

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What is the advantage of the

What is the advantage of the v-tail on it? Honestly it looks a little stupid having a v-tail unless it actually does something for the quadcopter. Thanks!!!

The advantage of the VTail is the very high ability to turn on itself (YAW). When dealing with a standard configuration, let’s say Quadcopter, you have four motors on a flat surface and you deal with the speed of each to turn on yourself (YAW). Since two propellers turn CW and two CCW, you can get that movement but not too strong.

When motors are at an angle, like on the VTail, you get a side push so it does turn lot faster. It behave more like a Tricopter without the tilting mechanicsm.

The guy who flew that was really really good.  Very cool design. 

 Yes, he is a beast. Thanks

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Thank you for the explanation.

Dear: DialFonZo

Thank you for the explanation. The video was cool too!!!

From: Noah

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A Beauty

It’s got great lines, a beauty.

Anyone try a double V? I suppose that might be too much roll…

 

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You mean V in the front and

You mean V in the front and back ? No never tried this configuration and not sure if it would work. 

I have thinked about a “six” motor with three of the VTail tail but never really put it together. Maybe with a less aggressive angle (more flat) it would make for something interesting. 

Some frames have motor inclined instead:

dji-s800-evo-premium-hexacopter.jpg
dji-s800-evo-premium-hexacopter.jpg500×500 37.8 KB


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Inclined

What benifit do you get with the inclined as in your pic? It would seem to me that it is less inclined to drift, and yet potentially more mobile, while also less efficient.

As far as the double V, I was thinking that the other pair would be tilted out rather than to the side.

With all that said, it appears that there are two schools for copter use, the sport use and those that wish to hover and photograph. The sport use seems more interesting… Is there anyone doing quad/hex racing? The course could be quite interesting.

I like your work.

 

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Inclined motor like above

Inclined motor like above will give a bit more stability since pushing on all sides slightly. This, as you said, with a bit of efficiency lost. 

There are also people playing with autonomous flight which is also a highly stable platform thinking, not sport. There are more and more Drone racing around the world and usually in FPV (first person view). 

Thanks… :wink:

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Combat

I did not know what FPV stood for, thanks…

I note also this:

Infrared battle quads:

http://www.accessorygeeks.com/df-battleset-rc-drone-fighter-for-universal-universal.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=comparisonshopping&utm_term=DF-BATTLESET&gclid=CjwKEAjwhdOwBRDFsYTfhvzX1hYSJAAfCUcLMQIrCcEk6R71xOP04zvU4kd_Ob_LW1C_sYXoUocv2RoClUrw_wcB

The speed of development of quads and hexes is stuning, such that run of the mill flight is now a commodity. Here we are some 17 years after the first Draganflyer and wow.

Keep up the good work, there always needs to be a higher end to push forward. Seems like a good field to be in.