BoxBotix Open Source Robotics Platform

BoxBotix is an open source robotics platform that uses 3d printed modules to create several different types of robots.

BoxBotix introduction video:



Quadcopter configuration:




BBTank with 3d printed threads made from TPE using a Lulzbot Taz6




BotBotix homepage:

https://boxbotix.com/

Project homepage on Wevolver with all the files and build instructions:

https://www.wevolver.com/coby.leuschke/boxbotix/main/description/

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CRACUNS flying and diving 3D printed drone

Johns Hopkins University developed 3d printed quadcopter drone that can both fly and be submerged under water. Since it was developed in cooperation with the military it will be probably be used as a weapon system sometime in the future. Cool technology, but we need more food delivery drones and less war-bots. It is named CRACUNS, which stands for "Corrosion Resistant Aerial Covert Unmanned Nautical System".




From the news article:

“Engineers at APL have long worked on both Navy submarine systems and autonomous UAVs,” said Jason Stipes of APL’s Sea Control Mission Area, project manager for CRACUNS. “In response to evolving sponsor challenges, we were inspired to develop a vehicle that could operate both underwater and in the air.” The resulting CRACUNS prototype system was developed and tested using internal research and development funding.

CRACUNS enables new capabilities not possible with existing UAV or UUV platforms. Its ability to operate in the harsh littoral (shore) environment, as well as its payload flexibility, enables a wide array of potential missions.
The most innovative feature of CRACUNS is that it can remain at and launch from a significant depth without needing structural metal parts or machined surfaces.To make that possible, the team needed to overcome two big challenges. First, the APL team leveraged advances in additive manufacturing and novel fabrication techniques available at the Laboratory’s extensive fabrication facilities. The team fabricated a lightweight, submersible, composite airframe able to withstand the water pressure experienced while submerged.

The second significant challenge was to ensure CRACUNS could not just survive, but operate effectively in a corrosive saltwater environment. To do that, the APL team sealed the most sensitive components in a dry pressure vessel. For the motors that are exposed to salt water, APL applied commercially available protective coatings. The team tested the performance of the motors by submerging them in salt water. Two months later, they showed no sign of corrosion and continued to operate while submerged.

Full press release:

http://www.jhuapl.edu/newscenter/pressreleases/2016/160317.asp

Syknet will know how to use this little guy

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Hexacopter Rapid Development with 3D Printers

One day soon there will be thousands and thousands of different models of DIY copters and robots moving around. What is now in hands of hackers, makers and hobbyists will become ubiquitous like bicycles...

This is just a preview of things to come and you will probably be able to make on your low cost home machine.



Description:

Students at Wentworth Institute of Technology were challenged to develop a functional hexacopter using six different manufacturing processes, including 3D printing. 95% of the 3D printed components were produced using the Stratasys uPrint SE and Objet30 3D Printers.

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Fully functional AirDog drone prototype developed with 3d printing

AirDog is innovative quadcopter drone that will follow you automatically and record video of your activity guided with electronic bracelet "leash" or smartphone app. The fully functional prototype is 3d printed in ULTEM 9085 production grade thermoplastics.

Currently it has several flight patterns that can be expanded in future:

1. Auto-follow. Will work with almost any sports. In this mode AirDog will follow you repeating exactly your movement trajectory while maintaining its position in preset distance and altitude from you. It will follow you at speeds up to 40 mph.
2. Relative position follow. In this mode AirDog will maintain constant offset relative to magnetic north from the rider. For example, you can set it to keep a 10 meter distance at 4 meters high to the east from your position. Even when you change your direction, the AirDog will stay at the same preset angle from you. We suggest this mode for straight line wakeboard cable parks, surfing, and some other sports.
3. Follow track. This is the safest way to operate AirDog. Simply go for one lap with AirLeash and it will record your track. Then adjust AirDogs trajectory to your liking in smartphone app. AirDog will repeatedly fly over the exact set trajectory and the camera will be continually adjusted to aim at the rider.This is the most creative mode where you can become a true director of your movie. Adjust AirDog's trajectory to avoid obstacles like buildings or trees. You can even make it to shoot you from different angle on different spots/kickers in the track. It might sound complicated, but its a simple few tap process in AirDog smartphone app.
4. Hover and Aim. The Hover and Aim setting allows AirDog to stay in one position above the ground, but constantly directing the camera at the AirLeash. This setting is perfect for tight places such as smaller skateparks, narrow forest trails, or for activities such as bungee jumping or base jumping, where clearance from equipment is important.
5. Circle. In this setting, AirDog makes circular rotations on a set radius and altitude, keeping the camera aimed at the AirLeash. This for slow speed or static shots to show impressive view around you.
6. Look down. The most simple mode but can produce very stunning results. Simply "walk" your AirDog above a ramp or kicker where you are about to throw some epic tricks and with push of a button it will freeze its position and aim camera straight down. Now make sure you don't go too high.
7. When it goes into production it will be produced with injection molding and it is clearly indicated on the timeline.

It was developed with Stratasys:

From Stratasys blog post:

The working prototype, currently flying in demonstrations over the United States, was produced using 3D printing technologies from Stratasys, with guidance from Stratasys’ Latvian partner, Baltic3D, and Polish reseller Bibus Menos.

“As the world’s first auto-follow action sports drone, AirDog not only grants end-users their own affordable and personal aerial video crew, but goes one step further in providing thrilling footage from distances and angles previously inaccessible to such consumers,” explained Edgars Rozentals, Co-founder and CEO of Helico Aerospace Industries.
A production-grade thermoplastic (ULTEM 9085), popular in the aerospace industry for its high strength-to-weight ratio, was used to create the AirDog quadcopter. “We were particularly impressed by how far we could push the boundaries of the ULTEM material,” said Rozentals. “The material’s functional stability enabled us to 3D print very thin walls that further reduced AirDog’s overall weight.

For the AirLeash, Helico chose to use rubber-like as well as rigid materials in a single prototype, relying on Stratasys’ PolyJet 3D printing technology, which allows for the incorporation of multiple materials in a single go.

“I’m not sure how we would have arrived at the stage of having a functional part, were it not for Stratasys 3D printing technology. I founded the company two years ago and we’re a staff of three, so for start-ups like Helico, this technology isn’t just a game-changer, but the ticket to the game itself,” ventured Rozentals.

AirDog Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/airdog/airdog-worlds-first-auto-follow-action-sports-dron

Source blog post from Stratasys:

http://blog.stratasys.com/2014/06/25/3d-printed-sports-drone-airdog/

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Quadcopter made with 3d drawing pen

This quadcopter was made with 3D Air pen which is probably just another Asian 3d drawing pen (which may not be a bad thing). Build time was approximately 2.5 hours.

http://3dairpen.com/

Now there is also flying RC plane made with 3Doodler.

Update:
here is also tutorial on how to 3d draw your working propeller:

http://diy3dprinting.blogspot.com/2014/08/how-to-make-diy-quadcopter-propeller.html

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Hex DIY nanodrone with customizable 3d printed frame

Hex is a nanodrone anyone can build and fly with smartphone app.

Hex copter technical specifications:

• Propellers: Size: 56x8.5 mm, Fits shaft: 1.0 mm
• Motors: Diameter: 7.0 mm, Length: 20 mm, Shaft diameter: 1.0 mm, Over 50,000 rotations per minute (rpm)
• Flight Control System: Flight control: Microwii Copter, Processor: ATMega32u4, Gyro and Accel: MPU6050
• Flight Time: 7 minutes
• Communication protocol: Bluetooth 4.0

Hex copter 3d printable frame drone Kickstarter, they raised $563,721 of $10,000 goal:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1387330585/hex-a-copter-that-anyone-can-fly

You can make one for yourself:

http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:274422

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