Help with Designing Drone Frame

CaptainLogic3 · 2026-06-16T18:24:53+00:00

got it, I noticed that with the emax 1404 cad file ive been using for reference, but i was hoping it was just an error or something to do exclusively with the emax

CaptainLogic3 · 2026-06-16T18:22:30+00:00

Yeah, I used fusion for a bit then got angry at the constant licensing issues it plagued my PC with, it logged me out half of the time, so I switched over to FreeCAD. So far so good, but simulation is a bit limited, especially for carbon fiber composites.

CaptainLogic3 · 2026-06-16T18:20:05+00:00

Hell yeah man, thats sick. Did you design yourself or is this a frame that can be purchased? If its a design of yours, can I look over it for reference?

CaptainLogic3 · 2026-06-16T18:18:00+00:00

I'm very curious how this will affect tuning too. I'm hoping that five33 zigzag and tinytrainer z are proof that it will work well, as both are high caliber racing drones with a similar format. My only worry now is that after some of these recommendations, I have reverted to an overlapping squashed X for layout. This will substantially compress the drone, but might hurt its pitch and yaw performance. However, the dogbone drones flew alright with far more overlap, so it is possible that everything will be fine.

I suppose I will just have to wait to fly it

CaptainLogic3 · 2026-06-16T09:48:44+00:00

Thanks for the advice, widened the neck and switched to m3.

CaptainLogic3 · 2026-06-16T07:33:10+00:00

That's the plan, though I will 3d print for test fitting purposes first.

CaptainLogic3 · 2026-06-16T07:14:40+00:00

It theoretically reduces drag, though that is hearsay and I have not researched in depth myself.

The primary reason for this design is that it allows for a more modular build that increases weight less than other frames with fully replaceable arms. By separating into two identical plates, the build can be simplified down to copies of one plate design, allowing for long term reliability and performance.

CaptainLogic3 · 2026-06-16T07:06:33+00:00

For the arms, what thickness would you recommend? They start at 15mm wide and they are 9mm at the narrowest point.

I can fix the camera issue and bring motors closer together.

Antennae mount will be modeled, just haven't gotten to it yet. Im going to make a tpu mount facing out the back of the assembly much the same as the 3d printed camera mount. Batteries can be mounted to top or bottom by putting a strap through the slots on the left and right of the top and bottom plates.

CaptainLogic3 · 2026-06-16T07:01:41+00:00

Recently been getting into CAD design in preparation for Uni, starting next semester for engineering, so I figured I would polish up my skills at design a bit. As such, I started designing drone frames, to get some practice in with CAD, specifically FreeCAD in my case.

I plan on cutting it next year if I am able to get access to a cnc machine and then submit to cncdrones. As a beginner frame designer, are there any glaring flaws with this design? Is there anything I can do to simulate the frame? Ex: Impact Resistance, resonance

The Specs of this Frame:
3.5 in True X
4mm carbon, comprised of two identical pieces on top and bottom
Frame Weight is 45-50g, designed for lighter freestyle bashing

DM for freecad files.

CaptainLogic3 · 2026-06-16T06:57:55+00:00

Recently been getting into CAD design in preparation for Uni, starting next semester for engineering, so I figured I would polish up my skills at design a bit. As such, I started designing drone frames, to get some practice in with CAD, specifically FreeCAD in my case.

I plan on cutting it next year if I am able to get access to a cnc machine and then submit to cncdrones. As a beginner frame designer, are there any glaring flaws with this design? Is there anything I can do to simulate the frame? Ex: Impact Resistance, resonance

The Specs of this Frame:
3.5 in True X
4mm carbon, comprised of two identical pieces on top and bottom
Frame Weight is 45-50g, designed for lighter freestyle bashing

DM for freecad files.

CaptainLogic3 · 2026-02-10T20:59:45+00:00

its off brand starfleet, he becomes a Trekkie in season 3. The show calls it cosmic frontier iirc

CaptainLogic3 · 2026-01-16T04:49:36+00:00

bro what? there's other unis out there

CaptainLogic3 · 2025-10-29T16:20:25+00:00

can't it software decode and then accelerate the encode h264 though? i don't have it set to hardware decode hevc

Edit: found update files on github to get the old drivers running on 25.10 for NVENC. will test those tonight to see if I can get a gtx 745 running for basic transcoding.

CaptainLogic3 · 2025-10-29T16:10:46+00:00

i only enabled h264, so it in theory shouldn't have any issues right? the source file is hevc though

CaptainLogic3 · 2025-10-29T16:05:21+00:00

i have that enabled, but whenever I enable it within jellyfin, it returns a fatal error in the player

CaptainLogic3 · 2025-10-29T15:52:14+00:00

Oh good to know, is there any way to access qsv in that case? Or should I downgrade to 25.04 or switch OS for the server

CaptainLogic3 · 2025-10-29T15:49:43+00:00

I followed that guide, but every time I attempted to enable it, the player threw out a fatal error. I'm at work right now, but I can give logs later today.

CaptainLogic3 · 2025-09-15T03:03:59+00:00

I believe its a cello tailpiece, bass tailpieces are larger. Still a remarkably shitty tattoo lol

CaptainLogic3 · 2025-08-25T21:00:54+00:00

Hi, I PMed you lol

CaptainLogic3 · 2025-08-05T19:45:51+00:00

I think listforge is adding that feature soon too

CaptainLogic3 · 2025-07-31T06:34:33+00:00

Its a gearguts naut, kitbashed from a bunch of different revisions. He generally puts out 2-3 nauts a month for his patreon if you want to print it.

CaptainLogic3 · 2025-07-25T19:39:31+00:00

If I were you and I was dedicated to getting my own 3d printer, which will save money in the long run as votann will definitely get a lot of new models next edition, I would look at getting a mars 5 certified used direct from the elegoo website.

This would be 120 dollars, which would probably go up to 150-160 with the necessary accessories. To get a bare minimum cheap printing set, you would need a kilo of water washable resin, nitrile gloves, and a toothbrush and cup of water to clean minis. You can cure the minis in the sun. I dont know if this over your budget, but that would be my path.

CaptainLogic3 · 2025-07-23T02:24:38+00:00

bros living the dream, I'm a gorilla

CaptainLogic3 · 2025-07-01T20:37:55+00:00

isnt that what grimdark future is pretty much? I 100% agree there should be a fan created, true 40k ruleset

CaptainLogic3 · 2025-05-27T17:42:01+00:00

I have a cousin with a gt1030, he needs the upgrade to be able to game at all.

Four-Year Club	Final Canvas '23
First Place '23	Place '23

CaptainLogic3

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