T6 / Y6 hexacopter

Check out the whole "T" copter family:

• TX8 Octocopter
• T6 Hexacopter
• T4 Quadcopter (10" props)
• T4 Quadcopter Mini 315 (7-8" props)
• T4 Quadcopter Mini 250 (5" props)
• Tubular Crossfire 2 quadcopter
  I've added a post on the forums over at DIY Drones for discussing and improving these designs.

Features:

• completely 3D printable (without support)
• simple assembly
• coaxial design (2 motors per arm) provides redundancy to keep flying in case of an ESC, motor, or prop failure
• strong braced tube section arms with plenty of room to conceal motor wiring
• designed for dual (3S) batteries located right in the center of rotation/thrust with room for up to 2 x 6000mah batteries (although 3000mah and some foam padding might be a wiser option)
• easy cable routing with beveled cable "tunnels" (and even a few cable tie mounts)
• plenty of space to mount ESCs - concealed but still well ventilated for cooling
• top plate is designed for the new Pixhawk flight controller from 3D Robotics - but can easily be tweaked for others
• RF "invisible" frame - as opposed to carbon fiber or aluminium
• Frame weight is approx 300g. All up weight including 2 x 3S 3000mah batteries and my over-sized 880kv motors is 1,700g.
• Hover flight time test was 15 minutes and 30 seconds using 5,900mah out of the 2 x 3S nano-tech 3000mah batteries. Another flight was 17.5 minutes, fully loaded (2.34kg) with Tarot T-2D gimbal, GoPro, 1W FPV transmitter and used 9,700mah out of 2 x 3S Multistar 5200mah batteries.
• Sketchup file included so you can make changes to suit yourself

  Background

  I've been experimenting to find a strong "tubular" profile that could be printed reliably. The angled sections in these designs are 35 degrees to vertical - so well within the typical 45 degree capability of most printers. They arms only present about 11mm of flat surface to minimize obstruction to airflow.
  The rest of the design are a collection of ideas that have accumulated over the past year building various quadcopters and Y6 configurations (3D printed, aluminium and bought frames).

  Videos

• On-board video
• Tubular arm versus "conventional" arm design

Revision History

17 July 2014
No version number change but a couple of tweaked files:

• T6BatteryPeg.stl was lengthened a bit as I realised it was too short for the new 1.02 body :-/
• T6TarotMount.stl just had a small cosmetic change.
  Don't forget to check out the T copter springy legs for some more leg options including the new "bent" leg specially designed for this copter.
  6 July 2014 - Version 1.02
• Slightly increased battery compartments size to 157mm long by 50mm wide by 30mm hide. (NOTE: This makes the body 6mm longer than the previous version so body, top plate and bottom tray are NOT COMPATIBLE if you printed version 1.0 parts)
• rounded off the front and rear corners - purely cosmetic.
  Changed files:
• T6Body.stl
• T6BottomTray.stl
• T6TopPlate.stl

14 Feb 2014

• created T6BottomTray v2 which features angled sides (looks a lot less boxy) and also bolt and cable holes to attach a Tarot gimbal. Also uploaded some first flight videos!

16 Feb 2014

• Revised T6BottomTray v2 - moved the cable hole to make it easier to route the cables for the Tarot gimbal.
• Added T6TarotMount which is a spacer block for attaching the newer plastic Tarot anti-vibration mount to the bottom tray.
• Added new longer legs with awesome springy feet. These add some clearance below the Tarot gimbal. The feet are a bit "mad scientist" but they seem to work 8-). Here's a quick video of the springy legs.