Les HallI often evangelize on the element of divine inspiration in creativity and today a clear example occurred. I was wondering how I could ever make a decent propeller when All I could do was make those goofy wheel-like things you saw in a recent log entry on this project. Not knowing what to do, I decided to clean up the OpenSCAD file by deleting unused modules and unused parameters.
I managed to delete only unneeded things and i did however delete one useful parameter. Open SCAD simply substituted a 1mm (near zero sized) value for that parameter and BAM! out popped a gorgeous bird-inspired wing/feather like propeller of classic proportions. I was happily surprised and a bit startled that a mistake like that could produce such a dramatic rags to riches result, then I remembered the divine inspiration component. Here is a look at that propeller (and a nice new light frame for the copter):
You see, and I'm sure you know this already but it's worth putting into words, God works that way. YOU have to make the first effort, take those first steps and plug and chug your way along the path until you get stuck on something and that's when God steps in and BAM! tiny miracles happen.
So anyway I did some testing and this new design is the result of redesigning for improved lift and lighter craft. More to follow, tomorrow: soldering a test circuit!
Les
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please see the next project log for some close-ups of a new "twist" in prop development! :)
Les
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Actually I'm going somewhere with the homemade props. Now that ferrous magnetic filament is available, I'm thinking of making my own motors. And then if making my own motors, then why not morph the system together and make the propellers be part of the magnetic circuit!?!
I think that maybe a good design could result from a spinning propeller that was part of a magnetic circuit. Might not even need fixed magnets then, just have coils placed in a circle and energize one coil at a time and the prop goes to that coil. Do it fast enough and your assembly has lift... maybe! Worth a try? You tell me!
Les
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I would follow that in a second, even if it failed! I thought of a similar design for a shaft-less floating prop, but it fails terribly because of very little vehicle anchor to lift from. I like your rebellious attitude of challenging hundreds of years of prop and motor design. Keep hacking! :)
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Yeah, we should never be afraid to challenge conventional wisdom. Even though conventional wisdom often wins, the opportunity to innovate more than makes up for the odds, as you know...
Les
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Have you considered using off-the-shelf plastic props? They're crazy cheap, lightweight, durable, pretty well optimized, etc... It seems like using FDM to produce props is an unnecessary and potentially less effective reinvention of the wheel. I do applaud a good tangent (I do this all the time), but don't let it keep you from building a whole swarm!
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I think @zakqwy is right about crazy cheap. If you add the cost of plastic, electricity, and time, you will end up paying more. On the other hand I do like the Open Hardware idea that anyone could print this whole project in a place where its too expensive or impossible to ship parts to. This makes me want to start using OpenSCAD again. Will you make the files available? Maybe you should link your GitHub account to the project page? It would be nice to see the files progress.
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I would be happy to teach OpenSCAD classes using these design files as the class topic if even one person would be the student. I would need at least one person to record the closest put on youtube. As for GitHub, i love GitHub and it's mission, but I hate to use GitHub even though I sort of can do it now, it's tough on me but i try.
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Definitely understand the cost constraints--"props" for making use of the resources you have available. I'd definitely be interested to see how the bird-like props perform!
I'm sure someone else on here can chime in on using GitHub. It's a fairly complicated system if you want to use all of its features, but just uploading files and revising them is fairly easy.
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At the moment I am playing around without off the shelf props for cost reasons, however once I move out of this nursing home I'll have my finances back (they take almost all of your money and Medicaid pays the rest) at which point i think i will take your advice yes. That is, unless those bird-like props do well...
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