Motor alignment tips and tricks

[jfro]

After reading this, I think measuring blade height from flat level surface is probably the way to go. If level surface is available, it very accurate and virtually cost nothing but some time. I'm going to try with the phone leveler and then check with the measurements from the level base.

 

[DucktileMedia]

I also dont think it matters so much that all these measurements are so critical. the one thing that is though is the squareness of the motors on a coaxial. especially the Y6! But I feel as though you could have as much as an inch difference in length and never ever notice any difference. Case and point, why does Bart's XY8 fly as smoothly as a flat octo if you werent able to offset the motors at all?

 

[kloner]

i've had it slightly off and the piece of crap kept yawing without input,,,,,,

broke out that gauge i have, batt was dead, opened it up and it had a 9v, changed it out, fired up, no more gauge, it's just 0.00 so broke out the phone and that's close enough.

 

[SamaraMedia]

This is my first attempt at building a hexa from scratch with parts I found (booms are from an old laundry storage rack), Rusty's UAP-1 center frames, ZTW SimonK 45A flashed ESC's and SunnySky 2814 motors. I too was thinking of a way to level the motor mounts and figured using a couple of small spirit bubble levels would suffice. First I leveled the main frame with one of the levels and then removed each motor and adjusted accordingly. We'll see what happens when I get further along. Copter should measure up at about 750 cm motor to motor and hopefully with a payload capacity to lift a Sony HDR-CX580V video camera or larger.

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John

 

[RotorJockey]

Hi Guys
A tip! Using (especially cheap) spirit levels, it is a good idea to calibrate it by placing it on a surface (whether level or not), note the 'reading' - then swing it 180 degrees on the same spot. Any difference in 'reading' is the inherent accuracy (or lack thereof) of the level. Lift each end in turn until the same 'reading' is obtained. Build up the correct end by about half of the difference with paper or wood and CA glue. Retest until accuracy is improved.
Just thought I'd add this to the mix. Enjoy!

 

[ChrisViperM]

The easiest way fastest way is to use (like already mentioned) a digital gauge: http://www.woodworkingtalk.com/f24/digital-angle-gauge-buy-11864/

For me this is the only way to get my motors fast in a +3° / - 3° position (depending if CW or CCW) . There is different theories if you should mount the motors at 0° or with an offset of 3°....but my impression is that with a 3° offset the bird is more responsive to yaw inputs and somehow a bit more stable....

Chris

 

[gtranquilla]

To get holes in perfect alignment on one side of the tube.....
High power and Model rocketry enthusiasts have been using a simple angle iron or angle aluminum rail to do this for years now. I prefer the extra thin 90 deg angle aluminum rail to draw a straight line the length of a carbon fiber tube.
http://www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=...euCKIrhiALO1ICwDg&sqi=2&ved=0CGwQ9QEwBg&dur=0

Getting the same results on the opposite side of the tube might still be achievable with a good quality drill press although a large metal lathe would be a superior tool for both items above.

What are different tricks and tips to getting motors on round booms "just right" ? It's not like it's just a set it and forget it thing traveling and all. is there any precise ways to make it a one time thing? anybody ever pin a boom with a screw so it has one position to sit? all my big helicopter tails had that done, more so it couldn't twist if it loosened up