Work Day on UAV 5.7.15

Work Day on UAV 5.7.15
Time: 1 hours
Students: Joel, Ben and Max

We wanted to get the props on the UAV as we wanted to see it get in the air. Prop adapters had to be placed on the brushless motors to mount the props on. We assembled three of them with locktite on the screws, but the 4th motor had the wrong prop adapter. We determined it must have been a packaging issue as the other three motors were all the same and complete. A call to 3D Robotics customer support agreed that it was an error in packaging the product and a new prop adapter and motor would be sent out with priority.

So we are grounded right now.  In the mean time, we put the stickers on the UAV that were designed in our Graphic Arts Dept. by Mr. Pitz's students. We also printed out another GoPro case to mount on the UAV on our 3d Printer. The other ones we tried were to loose. We also will use this time to work on our thermal camera and tweek the flight configuration settings so they are ready to go.

Pictured below are students assembling the props on the UAV.

The two pictures below indicate the incorrect prop adapter. We will have to wait until another one is shipped before we do a test flight.

 Picture below of our 3d printed camera case for the GoPro.

 Putting the stickers on the UAV pictured below.

Work Night 5/6/2015

Work Night Logan High School

Date: May 6th

Focus: Callibrating UAV, Getting live view screen and transmitter set up, connecting radio controller, Problems arming UAV first time.

Problems: Failed when trying to arm the UAV, suspected lack of no GPS lock, checked all of the physical connections, everything seemed okay. Tried to enable system by circumventing GPS, still no success. We checked some online forums for fixes and tried various work-a-rounds including re-binding the receiver. Tried different receiver control positions. SUCCESS! We got it to arm! The control positions for starting we incorrect on the tutorial. Through experimentation we were able to find the correct sequence. Once motors were turning we calibrated the ESC's because we had uneven motor takeoff.

Goals for next work night is to calibrate the flight modes, get the props on and take it for a flight test.

People: Pari, Max, Ian, Joel, Alex

Time: 3 Hours

Work Night 4/30/15

Work Night Logan High School

Date: April 30

Focus: Live View kit, Partial calibration, problem with voltage level on Live View, and Calibrating the control systems.

We also spent some time working on our thermal camera which we hope to have completed by the end of the year. We are having some programming issues that we need to resolve, but the components are soldered and ready for assembly.We hope to prove that this device can be used to sense "hot spots" on transmission wires.

People: Max, Joel and Grant

Time: 3 Hours

In this video you will see our first arming test. The arming test is important to determine if you have connectivity between the transmitter and the UAV. We also have to make sure the motors are spinning in the correct direction. No props are placed on the motors during this test for safety.

Pictured below is our thermal camera and laser pointer which we mounted on a swivel bracket. This is controlled by an Arduino.

Work Night 4/22/15

Work Night Logan High School

Date: April 22, 2015

Focus: Assembling the rest of the body and legs, mounted the electronics and guidance systems.

People: Grant, Joel

Time: 2 Hours

Work Night 4/16/15

Work night Logan High School

Date: April 16

Focus: Putting together the main body and arms, wiring the motors up and the main electronics.

This was our first night working on the UAV. You can see below all the part that are ready to be assembled. We do not anticipate any problems with the acutal build.We believe the greater challenge will be in the acutal flying and configuring and programming the system to do what we want it to do.

People: Joel, Ian

Time: 3 hours

This is how it all started. All the parts for our UAV came in.

Installing the motors on the arms.

Connecting and labeling our ESC's (electronic speed control)

Logan Ranger Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Safety Rules

Logan Ranger Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Safety Rules

1. No one gets hurt during the operation of this aerial system! Keep UAV flight path away from bystanders and ensure property is not damaged.
2. It is the pilot’s responsibility to ensure a safe flight.
3. Only handle the UAV when the safety button is blinking red. Propellers and motors are dangerous.
4.   Make sure transmitter is turned on during all missions. Even when using a mobile device to fly the UAV.
5. Make sure transmitter and UAV batteries are fully charged before flight. When battery life drains down to 25%, return to landing area
6. Make sure UAV has satellite lock before take off.
7. Your flight path should always have a safe landing zone in case of signal loss.
8. Fly in an unobstructed area to improve GPS signal strength. Never fly over people or buildings.
9. Never fly out of your line of sight; keep under 400’; and only fly in the daylight.
10. Always practice responsible and safe flying.

Guest Speaker-Dave Foye

Date: Fall 2014
Time: 90 min. (two different class periods)
Student: Entire class

We thought it was important to get as much background information on motors and power demands so we could better determine motor size, prop size, loads, etc.. Dave Foye (retired Systems Engineer from Trane) has come into speak to my classes in past years. He was kind enough to agree to take some time and focus directly on our UAV project. Thanks Dave!

In the picture below, you see a demonstration Dave designed for the class to help illustrate some of the concepts he discussed.

Below Dave is talking to the class on efficiency of UAV's (Fixed wing vs. Multirotor)

Dave talking to a smaller group of students on power requirements.