Design a Micro Drone in Autodesk Fusion 360

Design a Micro Drone in Autodesk Fusion 360


This instructables guides you thru learn how to design and manufacture your very personal microdrone! Should you select, these tutorials will allow you to compete within the world college primarily based competitors referred to as Airgineers! Extra info could be discovered on the Airgineers web site.

Utilizing Autodesk Fusion 360, you may be taken step-by-step by way of the method of learn how to design and 3D Print your individual Micro Drone Chassis. After getting designed your chassis utilizing Fusion 360, you may export your design as a STL, prepared for 3D Printing. Lastly, you may shall be proven learn how to assemble, simulate and scale back the load of your drone in preparation for a check flight!

However First, What’s the Airgineers Micro Drone? Earlier than we leap into Fusion 360, let’s take a couple of minutes to take a look on the Airgineers Micro Drone that you will design, 3D print and assemble!

Instructor Notes

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Step 1: Getting Began in Fusion 360


  1. If you have not already downloaded Fusion 360, you may must click on right here to obtain the software program. Don’t be concerned it is free for training and hobbyists.
  2. Check in to Fusion 360, if you have not already bought an Autodesk Account you may must create one.
  3. Begin by opening a brand new design in Fusion 360 by going to file after which new design.
  4. Be sure to save lots of your design and proceed saving all through the tutorial, go to file after which save.
  5. First, begin by going to create and new part. Identify the brand new part ‘Drone Chassis and press okay.
  6. Subsequent, go to Sketch after which Create Sketch. Choose the underside airplane to start out drawing your sketch.
  7. Begin by making a Heart Rectangle across the origin, change the scale to 47mm x 47mm.
  8. Utilizing a Heart Diameter Circle, place the centre of the circle on a nook of the rectangle made beforehand. Change the diameter of the circle to eight.2mm.
  9. Draw one other Heart Diameter Circle on the identical nook, this time change the diameter to six.2mm.
  10. Go into the sketch menu and choose offset. Use the offset device to offset the smaller 6.2mm circle inwards by Zero.5mm making a circle with a diameter of 5.2mm.
  11. After getting draw the three circles, go to the top of the toolbar and cease sketch.
  12. Subsequent, go into the create menu and choose extrude. Extrude the surface ring downwards by a distance of -15.5mm and press okay.
  13. Go in to the Drone Chassis Element and discover the Sketch folder. Discover sketch 1 and activate the lightbulb to make it seen once more.
  14. Once more utilizing the extrude device, extrude the within ring downwards by -Zero.5mm, ensuring the operation is about to affix and press okay.
  15. Lastly, go into modify and choose fillet. Choose the underside fringe of the motor mount and apply a fillet with a radius of Zero.5mm and press okay.

Step 2: Creating the Drone Base


  1. Go to create and sample, choose round sample.
  2. Choose the ducting as the item to sample, then choose the Y axis (or axis pointing upwards) because the axis to create the sample round. Change the amount to three so as to add three extra ductings.
  3. Go into sketch and Create Sketch, once more select the underside airplane to sketch on.
  4. Utilizing the road device, draw a line going from the origin alongside the axis with a distance of 19mm.
  5. Subsequent, go into sketch and right down to venture, choose the venture device and click on on the surface fringe of the highest and backside ductings on both aspect of the road. Press Okay when full.
  6. Then return into sketch and choose three level arc. Begin by choosing the centre of the highest ducting, then choose the centre of the underside ducting. The third level needs to be positioned on the top of the road drawn beforehand.
  7. Utilizing the offset device, offset the arc in each instructions by Zero.75mm to present an total thickness of 1.5mm.
  8. Go into create and choose extrude, then choose the arc profiles becoming a member of the highest and backside ducting collectively. Extrude downwards by a distance of -3mm.
  9. Once more utilizing the round sample device, change the kind to options. Choose the final characteristic within the timeline because the characteristic to sample and the Y axis (or axis pointing upwards) because the axis to sample round.
  10. Lastly, go into modify and mix, choose the principle part of chassis because the goal physique after which any unselected our bodies because the device our bodies. It will create one single physique.

Step three: Creating the Battery Tray


  1. Go to sketch and create a brand new sketch on the underside airplane or prime face of the drone chassis.
  2. Begin by drawing a centre rectangle across the origin, change the scale to a width of 20mm and a top of 40mm.
  3. Subsequent choose the offset device, offset the rectangle by 1.5mm outwards.
  4. Utilizing the venture geometry device, choose the within fringe of the highest and backside arc of the drone chassis.
  5. Then use the extrude device to extrude the 2 sides of the rectangle downwards by -3mm and press okay.
  6. As soon as full, go into the examine menu and choose part evaluation.
  7. Choose the aspect airplane … because the airplane to carry out a piece evaluation. Discover how the drone seems lower in half, a brand new folder referred to as Evaluation may have appeared within the browser.
  8. Create a brand new sketch on the identical airplane because the part evaluation.
  9. Place a two level rectangle on the highest fringe of the drone chassis going downwards, roughly place the rectangle midway between the origin and ductings. Change the scale of the rectangle to 1,5mm extensive and a couple of,5mm excessive going downwards.
  10. Use the dimension device in sketch to dimension the rectangle 10mm away from the origin by choose the origin and the within fringe of the rectangle. Cease Sketch.
  11. Subsequent, use the extrude device to extrude the rectangle outwards. Change the path of the extrude to symmetric. Choose the within face of the battery tray. Discover how materials solely appears to extrude on one aspect. Be sure to show the lightbulb subsequent to the evaluation folder off.
  12. Lastly, go to create and choose Mirror. Change the kind to characteristic and choose the final characteristic within the timeline. Choose the airplane working down the centre of the drone to reflect the characteristic.

Step four: Creating the Ductings


  1. Now you’ve got accomplished the underside part of the drone, go into the our bodies folder and conceal physique 1, we’ll flip it again on later.
  2. Subsequent Create a sketch on both aspect airplane, begin by choosing a two level rectangle.
  3. Following the axis, place the primary level away from the origin on the axis. Draw a rectangle with a width of 1.5mm and a top of 6mm going upwards.
  4. Go into sketch and choose the dimension device. Dimension the rectangle 17mm away from the origin after which cease sketch.
  5. Then go into create and choose revolve, choose the rectangle because the profile to revolve. Then choose the axis pointing upwards because the axis to revolve round.
  6. Now you’ve got created a ducting, go into modify and choose transfer. Change the kind of transfer to level to level. Flip again on sketch 1 within the browser utilizing the lightbulb. Choose the ducting because the physique to maneuver, then choose the origin as the primary level. The goal level is likely one of the 4 corners of the sq..
  7. As soon as the ducting is in place, go in to create, sample after which choose rectangular sample.
  8. Choose the ducting because the physique to sample, then choose a instructions. Select an fringe of the sq. because the path. Change the portions in each path to 2 and the space to 47mm. The gap perhaps optimistic or damaging relying on the instructions. Test to make sure that every nook of the drone has a ducting.

Step 5: Finishing the Chassis


  1. To finish the chassis, begin by creating a brand new sketch on the underside airplane.
  2. Subsequent choose a Heart Diameter Circle and draw two circle across the origin, one with a diameter of 36.5mm and one other with diameter of 39.5mm.
  3. Then return into sketch and discover the venture geometry device, choose the within fringe of all 4 ductings.
  4. As soon as the sketch is full, use the extrude device to extrude the 4 profile connecting the ductings collectively. Change the space to 6mm and ensure to alter operation to affix.
  5. Subsequent, go to change and choose fillet. Utilizing a Rule Fillet, choose the highest face of the drone and apply a radius of Zero.75mm.
  6. Return into sketch and create one other sketch on the underside airplane.
  7. Draw a Heart Diameter Circle on axis half means between the origin and the chassis. Change the diameter of the circle to 3mm.
  8. Use the Dimension device to dimension the circle 19mm away from the origin.
  9. Extrude the circle upwards by a distance of 6mm, ensure to alter the operation to affix.
  10. Then go to create and choose the opening device. Choose the highest face of the extruded circle, use the blue circle to maneuver the opening to the centre of the mounting. Change the diameter of the opening to 1mm and the depth to 7mm.
  11. Utilizing the mirror device, change the kind to options. Choose the final two options within the timeline, then choose the airplane going by way of the center of the drone.
  12. Lastly, flip physique one again on utilizing the lightbulb. Go to change and choose the mix device. Mix the highest and backside of the drone collectively.

Congratulations! You have efficiently accomplished a fundamental drone chassis!

Step 6: Weight Discount


  1. Change the bodily supplies of the drone chassis from Metal to ABS.
  2. Weigh the general design of the drone chassis by proper clicking on the chassis part and going to properties. Take a observe of the load.
  3. Return into the timeline into the sketch previous to the revolve. Take our a piece of the rectangle by drawing a two level rectangle within the backside proper nook, change the dimension to Zero.75mm extensive and 3mm excessive.
  4. Return in to the revolve characteristic and unselect the rectangle beforehand drawn within the final step.
  5. Then go into the chassis properties and examine the load once more. It ought to have lowered by a few grams.
  6. Attempt additionally to scale back weight in different areas of the drone such because the motor mountings, with out compromising the energy and construction of the chassis.

Step 7: Chassis Simulation


  1. Change the workspace over to simulation, discover how the workspace adjustments.
  2. Choose a Static Stress Simulation to create a brand new examine.
  3. First, go in to check supplies and guarantee that the fabric is about to ABS.
  4. Subsequent, go into constraints and structural constraints, apply a set constrain to the highest of the battery tray.
  5. Then go into masses and apply a structural masses, apply a power to the underside face of every of the motor mountings. Change the magnitude of the load to 200N (Rather a lot for a tiny drone)
  6. In resolve, choose the device Pre Test to make sure you have all info required for the examine.
  7. Then go to resolve and click on resolve. Relying in your pc, both resolve the simulation regionally or on the cloud. Watch for the outcomes to return.
  8. As soon as the outcomes have returned, take a look at the place stress is being utilized to the drone. You may at all times return into the mannequin workspace and make adjustments to extend energy.

Step eight: Manufacturing Drawings


  1. Change your workspace from mannequin to drawing, choose drawing from design.
  2. Stick to the default settings for the sheet.
  3. Begin by making a base view of the drone design, you might want to alter the orientation and scale of drone to 1:1
  4. Subsequent strive including a projected view by going to views and projected view. Click on on the views you wish to add after which press enter in your keyboard so as to add the views to the sheet.
  5. Attempt including dimensions to the drawing utilizing the dimension device .

Step 9: Export to 3D Print


  1. When you’re pleased with the general weight and design or your chassis, it’s time to get your drone prepared for 3D printing.
  2. To export your design as an STL file, go into the the toolbar and into Make. Then open the 3D print device.
  3. Subsequent, choose the physique which you want to export as an STL.
  4. Change the refinement of the STL file to excessive, this may produce a greater decision mesh.
  5. If you have already got a slicing software program put in equivalent to Cura. You may export on to the slicing software program by checking the ship to Print Utility field and choosing the related software program.
  6. Alternatively, you can even simply export as an STL file by unselect the Ship to Print Utility examine field. Press Okay and save the STL file onto your pc.
  7. Should you don’t know learn how to slice an STL file, there are many tutorials out there on Instructables to information you thru the method.

Step 10: Drone Element Meeting


  1. Begin by downloading the drone elements which may discovered on this instructables web page. You’ll want a clockwise and counter clockwise propeller, Motors, PCB and Battery to finish the drone.
  2. As soon as downloaded, go to the information panel and entry your venture folder. Click on on add and choose the downloaded recordsdata to put them in your folder.
  3. Be sure to activate the highest part in your browser by click on on the white circle or proper clicking after which activate.
  4. Then both drag in all of the elements, or proper click on on the part and insert into present design. In some circumstances you have to a number of elements such because the motors and propellers
  5. Use a mix of As constructed Joints and Joints to assemble the drone collectively. Comply with the video tutorial to find out how the drone is correctly assembled.

Step 11: Movement Research


  1. Now you could have absolutely assembled the Drone, we will now begin to animate totally different elements of the design to examine it’s practical.
  2. Begin by ensuring that the Joints folder is turned on within the browser, to take action go flip the lightbulb on subsequent to the joints folder.
  3. Go into Assemble after which click on on Movement Research, this may assist you to animate your design.
  4. Click on on one of many revolve joints in your design, this may carry up a timeline in your movement examine.
  5. Choose a degree in the direction of the top of your timeline, it’s going to ask for what number of levels you’d prefer to rotate throughout.
  6. Change the levels to a a number of of 360, relying on the path of the propeller this quantity could possibly be both optimistic or damaging.
  7. When you’ve animated one joint, click on on the play button to look at the animation. Test to see if the propeller goes in the appropriate path.
  8. Now strive animating the remainder of the revolute joints to finish the animation. Be sure to press Okay when you’re pleased with the movement examine.
  9. A 360 video going round your drone and an exploded view could be created within the animation workspace.

Step 12: Superior Drawings


  1. To create a extra advance drawing of your assembled drone, change your workspace to drawing and create a brand new drawing from design.
  2. Be sure to create a drawing from the total meeting to incorporate all of the elements.
  3. Once more, begin by putting a base view of your drone as lined in a earlier lesson.
  4. To supply a extra detailed drawing, a piece view and element view could be added to the drawing. Comply with the video to discover ways to add each views.
  5. With a purpose to get harder dimensions, strive including a centre mark or centre line to accurately id the centre of your drone or ductings.
  6. Moreover, a elements desk could be added to the drawing by going to desk. Click on on desk and select someplace in your drawing to put the elements checklist. The software program will mechanically label all of the elements utilizing a balloon, nevertheless further textual content could be added utilizing a frontrunner.
  7. Be sure to save lots of the drawing file by clicking save. If any adjustments are made to the mannequin file, they are often simply up to date within the drawings file.

Step 13: Rendering


  1. To create a photorealistic render of your drone, change your workspace from mannequin to render.
  2. Begin by making use of an look to your drone. Open the looks library and select an appropriate materials. Click on and drag the fabric onto your design to use it.
  3. Supplies could be edited by proper clicking on the supplies discovered beneath ‘On this design’
  4. Subsequent, strive altering the setting round your drone, both select from a stable color or background. Completely different backgrounds could be discovered within the backgrounds tab.
  5. Change the digicam view round your drone design to a dynamic view which reveals off your drone.
  6. Relying in your choice, both render your drone utilizing an in canvas render or cloud render.
  7. Seize the in canvas render utilizing the window seize device if utilizing the in canvas render.
  8. Or obtain the file from the rendering gallery if utilizing the Cloud Rendering, as soon as it’s full.

Step 14: Making use of a Decal


  1. To complete off your design, return into the render workspace so as to add a decal.
  2. Go on to the web and discover a image you’d like to use to your drone.
  3. Then go to the toolbar and open the decal device
  4. Click on on the image icon and choose the picture you’d like to use to your drone.
  5. Then select the face which you’d like to use the picture, you might want to maneuver or rescale the picture.
  6. Lastly, create one other render of your design with the decal utilized, utilizing an in canvas or cloud render.

Step 15: Constructing Your Drone

Now you’ve accomplished this tutorial on Fusion 360, it’s time to create your individual bodily 3D printed drone.

To purchase a drone package, observe this hyperlink to the Airgineers Web site.

To discover ways to construct, configure and fly your drone, go to the Airgineers Web site or observe the final steps of the Tinkercad Airgineers Tutorial.

Thanks for following this tutorial. We hope you discovered a couple of issues in Fusion 360 and glad flying!



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