As you may know I'm a fan of Know How on TWIT.TV
0Well they came up with a crazy idea. Build a quad out of corrugated plastic!?!?! A Plastic Quad build project!? So I'm toying with the idea, since my 250 should arrive on Monday, I might order this to build replacement parts and to see just how light I can make the quad. Thinking you could also cut it and make A frames for even stronger structures for the arms that may be even lighter than the ones that come with it. Will have to test and see. Could even make it water tight so if it landed on the water it would float. Just have to make sure it's not landing upside down :S.
Than again depending on what the weight is maybe I could make an upper floatation section as well.
This could even be useful for making a sealed center section for better aerodynamics.
Damn my minds going wild with ideas right now.
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Is that the stuff they use to make those "Jane Dough for District Constable" or "Professionally painted by Shmo & Sons" signs that folks stick in their front yards?
@ruouttaurmind Yes it is. Apparently surprisingly rigid material. And I figure with the right cuts you can make a U shaped hull to house your FC and PDU on the bottom and maybe reverse it for the top to house the battery.
With angles front and back ends making it more aerodynamic this could be a good system.
And if you made pontoons above and below the props long and thin probably boxed in a diamond shape it could have enough buoyancy to keep a quad a float if it landed in water, and not have adverse effects to aerodynamics. This will of course depend on the weight of your battery.
If you have a plastic supply or sign supply shop locally, you can get 4x8 sheets of coroplast for about the same price in your choice of color. Also, they have varying thicknesses. They may even have scraps for cheap or free that aren't useful for signs but perfect for your projects.
It's an interesting concept. It's easy to cut coroplast with the grain or across the grain. Cutting angles and curves will require care and patience, your knife will want to follow the ribs.
@djslack Since the link is essentially 90" X 120" vs. 48" x 96". I'd say I'm making out better from Amazon.
Also ordering Black and White sets of (5) 18 X 24 sheets so I can make front and back arms in separate colors.
Also now thinking I could make it with U shaped arms maybe 1" x 2" U's sealed on the ends as landing gear as well as floatation. Maybe even 1" x 3" with the amount of material I'm getting.
I'll have to experiment with V vs U shaped arms. I think the U might make for an easier sealed section.
Also need to research how much cooling the ESC's need if any. I'm guessing not much if they can be sealed inside the Phantom and Walkera shells.
@DJMajickMan the link I'm seeing was for the 5 18x24 sheets. You can also get 2mm, 6mm, and other thicknesses. 2mm might be helpful if you're wanting to go u-shaped.