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prototype3a · 02-05-2012, 05:45 PM

Been flying with the Align 450pro swash driver for a while now and it fits and works very well. It is the best flying 450 I've ever flown by a long shot. I've also redesigned my custom FBL head some to be easier to make and use the Align driver arms.

http://helidirect.com/align-mixing-b...fl-p-17770.hdx

If anyone is interested in a set of these frames send me a PM.

Below is a rendering to show the basic idea. I need to refine a few things about the design and double check some dimensions but it shows the basic concept.

prototype3a · 02-07-2012, 07:35 PM

Here's an updated render of the head I want to have prototyped.

prototype3a · 02-09-2012, 07:03 PM

Thinking $40 per set of my frames if anyone is interested in a set. I may try to source some screws in bulk to make life easier for people.

Right now this includes both frame halves, AR bracket, servo horn adapters, small washers to hold the HS-5084mg servos and a small tray for the rear of the heli.

To install the extra tray you'll need 'MA130-230 CNC Frame Spacer'. In the photos, my esc is strapped to this tray. It is perpendicular to the main shaft so you could mount a fbl unit to it if you wanted.

prototype3a · 02-11-2012, 12:56 PM

Here's a rendering what I'm calling V1 of these frames. I hope to have the first batch of these frames in a week or so. These are largely the same as the ones I've been flying but have a few minor tweaks and corrections here and there.

I forgot to mention before that you will more than likely need to make a new tail control rod to use these frames as the larger cyclic servos force the battery further forward than most people probably have it on a stock Furion. This means that my fixed tail servo mount is further aft than most probably have on their stock models to help with the c/g.

prototype3a · 02-19-2012, 08:43 PM

I may still get the custom head block made but I think the bigger problem is blade grip ball binding. (say that 5 times fast

)

Anyway, I'm thinking about getting some L shaped parts made to rotate the ball on the blade grip 90 degrees so that it won't bind. These should be fairly inexpensive to have made. So, I'm taking suggestions on which balls to design them for and how far the screw hole should be spaced from the feathering shaft center.

I really like the Align balls since they come with a hex hole broached in them for easy mounting. I believe the shortest Align ball is a similar height to one of the MA Furion balls so both may work.

prototype3a · 02-19-2012, 09:13 PM

Here is a quick rendering of what I am thinking of.

heli21 · 02-22-2012, 12:44 PM

Looks good, I would add a nice fillet to the inside corner on this side. It would not really add to the cost.

Rob

prototype3a · 02-24-2012, 10:48 AM

I've drawn it both ways. I had a 0.0625" radius... I think I'm going to make the prototype part without the fillet since it will be easier to make that way.

prototype3a · 03-04-2012, 08:49 PM

Just to update those following this project....

There were a few production delays (tooling, material, etc) for the shop producing the frames for me. Either way, I believe they have been cut and should be shipped soon.

prototype3a · 03-08-2012, 09:07 PM

My friend tells me that the first batch of the frames finally shipped.

In other news, I made some custom grip arms.

zept · 03-09-2012, 03:11 PM

Your grip arms look awesome ! If you make any extra I would like to buy a set .

prototype3a · 03-09-2012, 03:49 PM

I've looked into getting some made by a shop here in the US but it is expensive. If I recollect correctly, the quote was around $30 per pair for a batch of 10 pair. If there is sufficient interest, I could probably get some made for less but it may take time to find the right shop.

The parts shown above, I made quick and dirty just to see how they looked, fit and flew. In other words, production parts would look even better.

prototype3a · 03-09-2012, 08:39 PM

I was supposed to have the first batch of frames in hand today but the USPS decided otherwise. So, I should have them tomorrow when I stop by the local office to punch a hole in someone's head.

prototype3a · 03-10-2012, 10:41 AM

I redid my v-bar setup with the new grip arms this morning and while the collective/cyclic setup values are still relatively high, they are a bit better than before and the pitch range without binding is dramatically improved. I can get ~24degrees (max collective + max cyclic) without anything binding up.

As soon as I have the V1 frames, I'm going to transfer all my parts over and take some new photos. Hopefully, it won't take very long as only minor changes were made between the last beta and V1.

prototype3a · 03-10-2012, 12:09 PM

Got some goodies in the mail a bit ago!

Below the stack of frames, you can see the little washers for the Hitec HS5084mg mounting tabs, the horn adapter arms which get screwed to the small wheel horns, the little rear tray that can be installed below the tail box and the longer anti-rotation bracket. Seems my friend made a few extras of each of the smaller parts in case they got sucked up by the dust collector.

As I said earlier, to install the extra tray you'll need 'MA130-230 CNC Frame Spacer'. In the photo, my esc is strapped to this tray. It is perpendicular to the main shaft so you could mount a fbl unit to it if you wanted.

prototype3a · 03-10-2012, 07:06 PM

Okay, here are the photos with the V1 frames. I'm really happy with the fit and finish on these things. Knowing this project was for a MA heli, I really wanted them to go together perfectly.

I used my flo orange zip ties so you could clearly see where the zip tie cut outs are located.

WessCo · 03-12-2012, 10:11 AM

Are you going to have the headblock made aa well?

prototype3a · 03-12-2012, 11:14 AM

Probably not since the G5 + Align driver is much more economical and works very well. I'm still waiting to hear back from a few shops on the grip arms.

If the G5 block becomes unavailable in the future, I may look into it more.

prototype3a · 03-12-2012, 05:36 PM

Just got the first quote on the grip arms back. Looks like they would be around $25 per pair shipped. If there was sufficient interest, I could get the price lower (larger batch).

prototype3a · 03-15-2012, 08:21 AM

So the frames are still $40 shipped if anyone is interested in a set.

On the other hand, I received a quote on a very large batch of the grip arms and I may go ahead and have them made. If I have this batch made, I could lower the price significantly but I need to know that people want them.

02-05-2012, 05:45 PM	#21 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	Been flying with the Align 450pro swash driver for a while now and it fits and works very well. It is the best flying 450 I've ever flown by a long shot. I've also redesigned my custom FBL head some to be easier to make and use the Align driver arms. http://helidirect.com/align-mixing-b...fl-p-17770.hdx If anyone is interested in a set of these frames send me a PM. Below is a rendering to show the basic idea. I need to refine a few things about the design and double check some dimensions but it shows the basic concept. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by prototype3a; 02-07-2012 at 12:12 AM..

02-11-2012, 12:56 PM	#24 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	Here's a rendering what I'm calling V1 of these frames. I hope to have the first batch of these frames in a week or so. These are largely the same as the ones I've been flying but have a few minor tweaks and corrections here and there. I forgot to mention before that you will more than likely need to make a new tail control rod to use these frames as the larger cyclic servos force the battery further forward than most people probably have it on a stock Furion. This means that my fixed tail servo mount is further aft than most probably have on their stock models to help with the c/g. Attached Thumbnails

02-19-2012, 09:13 PM	#26 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	Here is a quick rendering of what I am thinking of. Attached Thumbnails

03-09-2012, 03:49 PM	#32 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	I've looked into getting some made by a shop here in the US but it is expensive. If I recollect correctly, the quote was around $30 per pair for a batch of 10 pair. If there is sufficient interest, I could probably get some made for less but it may take time to find the right shop. The parts shown above, I made quick and dirty just to see how they looked, fit and flew. In other words, production parts would look even better. Last edited by prototype3a; 03-09-2012 at 05:22 PM.. Reason: to correct numbers.

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02-07-2012, 07:35 PM	#22 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	Here's an updated render of the head I want to have prototyped.

02-09-2012, 07:03 PM	#23 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	Thinking $40 per set of my frames if anyone is interested in a set. I may try to source some screws in bulk to make life easier for people. Right now this includes both frame halves, AR bracket, servo horn adapters, small washers to hold the HS-5084mg servos and a small tray for the rear of the heli. To install the extra tray you'll need 'MA130-230 CNC Frame Spacer'. In the photos, my esc is strapped to this tray. It is perpendicular to the main shaft so you could mount a fbl unit to it if you wanted.

02-19-2012, 08:43 PM	#25 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	I may still get the custom head block made but I think the bigger problem is blade grip ball binding. (say that 5 times fast ) Anyway, I'm thinking about getting some L shaped parts made to rotate the ball on the blade grip 90 degrees so that it won't bind. These should be fairly inexpensive to have made. So, I'm taking suggestions on which balls to design them for and how far the screw hole should be spaced from the feathering shaft center. I really like the Align balls since they come with a hex hole broached in them for easy mounting. I believe the shortest Align ball is a similar height to one of the MA Furion balls so both may work.

02-22-2012, 12:44 PM	#27 (permalink)
heli21 My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2008	Looks good, I would add a nice fillet to the inside corner on this side. It would not really add to the cost. Rob

02-24-2012, 10:48 AM	#28 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	I've drawn it both ways. I had a 0.0625" radius... I think I'm going to make the prototype part without the fillet since it will be easier to make that way.

03-04-2012, 08:49 PM	#29 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	Just to update those following this project.... There were a few production delays (tooling, material, etc) for the shop producing the frames for me. Either way, I believe they have been cut and should be shipped soon.

03-08-2012, 09:07 PM	#30 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	My friend tells me that the first batch of the frames finally shipped. In other news, I made some custom grip arms.

03-09-2012, 03:11 PM	#31 (permalink)
zept Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Sep 2010	Your grip arms look awesome ! If you make any extra I would like to buy a set .

03-09-2012, 08:39 PM	#33 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	I was supposed to have the first batch of frames in hand today but the USPS decided otherwise. So, I should have them tomorrow when I stop by the local office to punch a hole in someone's head.

03-10-2012, 10:41 AM	#34 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	I redid my v-bar setup with the new grip arms this morning and while the collective/cyclic setup values are still relatively high, they are a bit better than before and the pitch range without binding is dramatically improved. I can get ~24degrees (max collective + max cyclic) without anything binding up. As soon as I have the V1 frames, I'm going to transfer all my parts over and take some new photos. Hopefully, it won't take very long as only minor changes were made between the last beta and V1.

03-10-2012, 12:09 PM	#35 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	Got some goodies in the mail a bit ago! Below the stack of frames, you can see the little washers for the Hitec HS5084mg mounting tabs, the horn adapter arms which get screwed to the small wheel horns, the little rear tray that can be installed below the tail box and the longer anti-rotation bracket. Seems my friend made a few extras of each of the smaller parts in case they got sucked up by the dust collector. As I said earlier, to install the extra tray you'll need 'MA130-230 CNC Frame Spacer'. In the photo, my esc is strapped to this tray. It is perpendicular to the main shaft so you could mount a fbl unit to it if you wanted.

03-10-2012, 07:06 PM	#36 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	Okay, here are the photos with the V1 frames. I'm really happy with the fit and finish on these things. Knowing this project was for a MA heli, I really wanted them to go together perfectly. I used my flo orange zip ties so you could clearly see where the zip tie cut outs are located.

03-12-2012, 10:11 AM	#37 (permalink)
WessCo Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Dec 2007	Are you going to have the headblock made aa well?

03-12-2012, 11:14 AM	#38 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	Probably not since the G5 + Align driver is much more economical and works very well. I'm still waiting to hear back from a few shops on the grip arms. If the G5 block becomes unavailable in the future, I may look into it more.

03-12-2012, 05:36 PM	#39 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	Just got the first quote on the grip arms back. Looks like they would be around $25 per pair shipped. If there was sufficient interest, I could get the price lower (larger batch).

03-15-2012, 08:21 AM	#40 (permalink)
prototype3a Registered Users Thread Starter My HF Map location Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Chrisitansburg VA USA	So the frames are still $40 shipped if anyone is interested in a set. On the other hand, I received a quote on a very large batch of the grip arms and I may go ahead and have them made. If I have this batch made, I could lower the price significantly but I need to know that people want them.

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