Part 4: Functional 3d Design

Drone Customization: Measure, Design, and Innovate!

Challenge: How can we customize our Apex Echo drone to perform new tasks or carry different items?

Your Mission: Accurately measure key parts of the Apex Echo drone using plastic calipers to design useful attachments.

Materials:

Instructions:

Get to Know Your Calipers:
- Practice opening and closing the jaws.
- Measure a few common objects around you (e.g., a pencil, a coin) to get a feel for how to hold the calipers.
- Identify the parts: external jaws (for outside measurements), internal jaws (for inside measurements), depth rod (for depth).

Drone Dimensions: Work with your group to measure the following critical dimensions of the Apex Echo drone. Think about where an attachment might connect or sit.
- Overall Length & Width: The longest and widest points of the drone body.
- Height: From the bottom of the landing gear to the top of the body.
- Propeller Guard Dimensions: If applicable, measure the diameter or dimensions of the propeller guards.
- Motor Housing/Arm Dimensions: Measure the thickness or diameter of the drone arms where you might attach something.
- Battery Compartment (if accessible and relevant): If you were designing a battery holder, what would its dimensions be?
- Any other areas you identify as potential attachment points.
Record all your measurements neatly in your notebook. Make sure to note which part of the drone each measurement corresponds to. Example: “Drone body width = 125.4 mm”

Now that you have precise measurements, it’s time to brainstorm! What could your drone do with a custom attachment?

Choose ONE of the following design ideas (or propose your own unique idea!):

Lego Carrier: A platform on top to securely hold Lego creations.
Item Lift Bracket: A bottom attachment with a hook or clamp to lift small, lightweight items.
Action Camera Mount: A stable mount for a small action camera (e.g., a micro FPV camera).
LED Light Bar: A bracket to hold a powerful, lightweight LED light for night flying.
Mini Parachute Launcher: A simple mechanism to release a small parachute or paper airplane.
“Seed Dropper”: A container with a release mechanism to drop small seeds for gardening.
Propeller Guard Extenders: Custom guards that offer more protection or a unique aesthetic.
Marker Dropper: A holder for a washable marker to draw on a large paper target from above.
Sound Recorder Mount: A secure spot for a small, lightweight audio recorder.
Custom Landing Gear: Taller or wider landing gear for different terrains.

Materials:

Instructions:

Based on your chosen design idea and your accurate measurements, sketch at least two different views of your attachment.
Label your sketch with critical dimensions from your measurements. Show how your attachment would connect to the drone.
Think about:
- How will it attach securely to the drone?
- What materials might it be made from (e.g., cardboard, 3D printed plastic, craft sticks)?
- How will it perform its intended function?