Build a Drone - information on building your own UAV
  • Home
  • What Do I need?
    • Multicopter Drone components
    • Fixed Wing UAV components
  • Fixed Wing UAV
  • Multi-Rotor UAV
    • Build A Quadcopter
    • Multi-Rotor Basics

What's required build a Multi Rotor  UAV (QuadCopter drone)

This page will give you a brief overview of all the parts you need in order to build your own Multi Rotor UAV.  This section will split the parts into essential and optional parts.  The essential items are the parts that you have to have in order to build a drone.  The optional parts wiill enable fancy and advanced functionality on your UAV.

Essentials

  • RC Transmitter
  • Multi Rotor Frame
  • Motors/ Speed Controller
  • Flight Controller
  • Battery and Charger

Optional Extras

  • Battery Alarm
  • Flight Controller Add-ons
  • Camera Gimbal
  • Telemetry
  • Wireless Video

Essential - RC Transmitter and Receiver

Although this is technically not required, you should always have a manual backup for your drone in case something goes wrong.   Your RC radio gear is also used when you are learning how to fly, or when you want to fly in manual modes.  If you want to find out some more click the button below
More information on RC gear
Picture
Picture

Essential - Multi Rotor Frame

Picture
You will obviously need a platform to build your multi rotor UAV.  The frame is the actual UAV.  There is a huge range of choices of frames.  The most common configuration is a quadcoper with 4 motors.  However if you want to carry a lfancy camera, or a heavy load then more motors are needed.  Hexacopter (6 motors), and Octacopter (8 motors) are ideal for heavier loads.  For more information on frames then click the button below.
More information on Multi Rotor Frames
Picture

Essential - Motors, Propellers and Speed Controllers

Picture
As you can imagine, the motors, Propellers are a fairly important aspect of your multi rotor since they will provide the lift for your UAV to fly around.  Multi Rotor motors tend to have a lower Kv rating than fixed wing motors, this is because they are designed to spin slower, but produce more torque.  This allows you to use larger propellers for maximum efficiency and flight time.  For more information on Motors, Propellers and Speed Controllers click the button below
More information on Multi Rotor Motors, Props, ESC

Essential - Flight Controller (Autopilot)

The flight controller is the brains of your Multi rotor UAV.  Flight controllers are used to help stabilise your multi rotor, and some more advanced flight controllers can also autonomouly fly your UAV to pre programmed waypoints including takeoff and landing.  The choise of autopilot/ flight controller is mainly dependant on what you want and your budget.  For more information click the button below.
More information on Flight Controllers
Picture
Picture

Essential  - Battery and Charger

Picture
Picture
The battery provides power to your UAV.  The battery will control both your Flight Controller and Motors.  Lithium Polymer batteries are almost always used for multi-copters as they have a high power to weight ratio and are readily available.When choosing a battery the two main factors are the capacity, and voltage.  The voltage is dependant on the number of cells (3 or 4 cell are common).  The capacity common ideal for multi-rotors are around 3000mah.  The higher capacity generally enable longer flight times, but since they are heavier there is a limit depending on what other payload you want to carry such as cameras.

More information about Batteries and Chargers