So I purchased an Arducopter Pre-assembled and tested, Something I rarely do. Maybe it was a subconscious action then, that within a week I had smashed it into the ground?

Now I am designing and rebuilding it, testing and learning and really enjoying it.

Some pieces survived and I had initially thought to design things as a replacement/upgrade. Now I think that would be silly to tell people to Print these, and buy these 'special' parts, so I am making the attempt to make this frame fully DIY...

I haven't really been documenting the process, but initially it seemed there would be a slight weight savings in the carbon fiber/ABS parts vs the stock arducopter aluminum/acrylic parts.

Maybe some different construction methods could be used to increase savings?

This is very much a work in progress, but thought I'd get the idea out in order get some feedback and enable collaboration.

The goal:

Get some carbon fiber shafts.. Got mine at walmart for $3 a shaft(29 inch, ~8mm dia. arrow shafts), I estimate it will take 6-8 of these, depending on desired frame size..

Print parts.

Use 3mm hardware to assemble nuts and bolts

Frame complete. Add electronics..

*update 08/19/2011:

Added the concept pieces I am currently using for the pyramid cage, as well as another mock-up image, this time with some electronics mounting ideas. I'm going to try to throw the minimal amount of electronics on and get a test flight tonight.. Hopefully the first won't coincide with the last!