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Prototype not working in time for the Hackaday Prize Deadline

A project log for EVPR: Electric Variable Pitch Rotor

An electrically actuated variable pitch rotor with a wireless interface

peter-mccloudPeter McCloud 10/21/2017 at 00:560 Comments

Last week, the first test of the EVPR prototype working in concert with the flight controller was conducted. It was found while the previous servos had sufficient torque, but that the internal servo gears were not suitable for the vibration and shock environments. New servos with steel gears were Additionally the retaining rings needed to be upgraded to heavy-duty versions.

On Tuesday the new rings arrived and the axles were modified for them. Yesterday, the new servos arrived. The new brushless servos are really cool. The are super quick and have none of the singing that the brushed servos had. Late last night the new servos were installed and testing began last night and continued into today.

Unfortunately this afternoon, the blades on the prototype came loose. On startup the engine revved up quickly to a high RPM and the rivets holding the blades in placed sheared, sending the blades flying.

Axle with sheared rivets
Axle with sheared rivets

Unfortunately there's only 14 hrs left until the deadline for the Hackaday Prize and there isn't a working prototype to meet the contest requirements. The prototype IS close to working. Stay tuned!

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