This will be the project that will refine the final production design.

Update May 30, 2018: This is definitely a challenge. I have spent nearly 100 hours with the CAD models. Things have changed, but progress is definitely being made.

Update May 13, 2018: A lot has been accomplished and the design and the frame line up is just about finalized. The vision I had for the frame has finally taken shape. It took a while but it was worth the wait. Although there have been several prototypes already built, they sacrificed too much in terms of construction and ease of repair.

When Simple Isn’t Simple

I strive to make designs as simple as possible. However, the simplicity made for an atrocious outcome: repairs pretty much meant a complete rebuild. So now, the core design is a little more complex than I would have liked but the result is much better than before: repairs are now simple. When an arm breaks, only 1 or 2 motor screws have to be removed to replace it.

Test Flights

Test flights have been done on the previous (simplified) race version which has a cross section of only 3mm for each arm (12mm total). The concept worked with no issues and feedback was very positive.

Virtual Reality Specs

In CAD, it looks like a happy frame but there still has to be a reality check. This should be next week when the prototype arrives. So right now, this is a preliminary/virtual reality overview of the ARX:

Naming convention: ARX-AB C-D where A is the frame type, B is the prop size, C is for miscellaneous, and D for version number (none for the first).

As of now, there are 5 types planned, however, only the 5″ race frames will be available at launch:

• ARX-5R 4S: 4S Race Frame – 3mm total cross section arms, approx. 45g
• ARX-5R 6S: 6S Race Frame – 3mm total cross section arms, also approx. 45g
• ARX-5F: Freestyle Frame – 6mm total cross section arms,  should be able to handle both 4S and 6S
• ARX-5S: Speed Frame – this one will take awhile
• ARX-5L: Lightweight Frame – 2mm total cross section arms, approx. 25-30g

All 5 types will come with stretch mounts which gives ability to quickly change arm shape to fine tune the feel: stretch X, wide X (correct name?), true x, deadcat, etc.

All 5 frame types have parts that are interchangeable with one another. For example, if you already have one type of frame, you can get a “mod pack” that will alter it into a different frame type.

Different arm thickness and length sets (thicknesses to be determined) will be available. The sets also include the required spacers that are specific to that arm thickness/length.

Arms can also be purchased individually if you already have the spacers.

One More Frame – The Time Frame

I hope to get things done and finalized by next week. Keeping everything interchangeable has taken up a lot of time but the base design is almost done.

Also, I have no idea what the demand will be like. Will it be popular? A novelty? Or will it be crap? That’s hard to determine so I’m unsure of how to do this. More than likely, I will do the pre-order thing which will give me an idea of the demand and get the ball rolling. If everything goes smoothly, I hope to start selling in 3-4 weeks.

Update April 11, 2018: Almost ready to have some CF cut for 2 different prototype production designs. I’ve also been toying around with this idea: adjustable between 5″ frame and 6″. Also, adjustable between a true and stretch x. I’ll have to look at it more in CAD, but this looks like a real possibility…

Update March 31, 2018: Design for the first production prototype is 99% done, I just need to review it and double check a few things.

• Calculated dry weight is 24g – I like this but I also don’t like this since I value a strong, crash proof frame. If it ends up being strong enough, great. If not, this could go up a little but I don’t think anymore than 30g total.
• Weight including motor screws, FPV cam screws, and battery straps is 28.5g
• Motor to motor distance is 209mm (this might get reduced just a tiny bit)
• True X design
• Inverted front motors
• Geometrically centered and vertically mounted battery

Update March 26, 2018:  Design for the first production prototype is almost done and I hope to send out the drawings for quote in the next week. Once I have the physical frame in my hands, I’ll iron out any issues and go from there. I just need to figure out the FPV camera mounting which will probably be limited to the 20 x 20mm micro size cams.

Weight right now sits at just a little under 30g, but that includes motor screws (aluminum) and battery straps.

Speaking of battery straps – no Velcro, just 2 o-rings. Hard to explain with words, but it will be cleaner and I would like to call it a “quick-change-system”, but the preliminary mock up I did at home had mixed results: it definitely worked great, quicker than Velcro, but not exactly super quick.

March 18, 2018:

Fleshing It Out