/alpaca

FPV drone frame

GNU Lesser General Public License v3.0LGPL-3.0

Alpaca 🦙

The Alpaca is a lightweight, 5", cinematic, all-round quadcopter frame with long-range capabilities designed for 20x20mm mounting pattern components. The squished x-design with a 225mm motor to motor distance gives space for clean air and stability. The front frame section is on a level with the front motors which allows to get camera shots without propellers in view.

Alpaca frame render image

Specifications

  • Wheelbase: 225mm (fits 5.1" propellers)
  • Standoff height: 25mm
  • Motor mount: 16x16mm
  • Stack mount options:
    • Center 20x20mm M3
    • Rear 20x20 M2
  • Camera width: max. 21mm (Mini size)
  • Carbon weight: 73.7g

Carbon fiber plates

All carbon fiber parts are at alpaca/frame, ready to cut.

  • Top plate: 2mm
  • Center plate: 2mm
  • Bottom plate: 2mm
  • Arm thickness: 5mm

Blueprint

Alpaca frame render image

Accessoires

Ready to print .stl files for different applications are at alpaca/accessories/. Best results can be achieved with SainSmart TPU.

Required Hardware

  • 12 x M3/6mm button head screw
  • 4 x M3/6mm countersunk screw
  • 16 x M3/8mm button head screw
  • 4 x M3/12mm button head screw
  • 4 x M3/14mm button head screw
  • 8 x M3/25mm standoffs
  • 8 x M3 press nuts to fit 4.5mm holes

Recommended Build

The four rear holes on the top plate should be prepared for countersunk screws. This way the battery won't be damaged by the screw heads. With all steel screws and aluminum standoffs the total frame weight is around ~93.4g. The center stack should be soft-mounted, for example rubber o-rings underneath the electronic speed controller and rubber standoffs to mount the flight controller on top. There's 3D printable adapters for the FPV camera. Weight is key of this frame, take caution when adding extraneous parts.

Where to get?

Download the latest release and send the .dxf frame files alongside with the above instructions to a carbon fiber cutting service, for example cnc madness.