Posted: 9/9/2026 6:33:22 PM EDT
[Last Edit: gtfoxy][Edited]
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Looking into it & apparently it's becoming more of a thing. PETG-CF & PLA+ seems to be a good choice & there are quite a few frames to choose from. Curious what others have done & how everything has turned out as far as durability & such. Not sure what I'm going to start with in terms of size & electronics as of yet. |
Hoffman Tactical made an interesting drone from TPU that can take a lot of abuse. I wonder how TPU-CF would fare with its improved rigidity. How I Designed an Indestructible Quadcopter Frame |
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Originally Posted By Blob: Hoffman Tactical made an interesting drone from TPU that can take a lot of abuse. I wonder how TPU-CF would fare with its improved rigidity.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adPwNKBte5cHe has some interesting insight that seems to prove out with his testing. Definitely some interesting ideas on assembly & structure. What I would have liked to have seen with his build is actual flight data. A more recent series from a YouTuber working to find viable 3D print options over carbon fiber fames has caught my attention. He uses frequency analysis to validate the structure & eliminate harmonic interference & structural stresses with on board telemetry evaluation comparisons. What I find interesting is if you look at the end result print structures between the Hoffman & D&P is the similarity in load arm print integration for rigidity & integrity while using different materials. I’ve ran into a similar structural reinforcement issue with some components exposed to 150+ mph air velocity with a support juncture less than 4 in/sq with a force application surface area of over 30 in/sq. While I used ABS on those components as the application was entirely different force implications. What ended up similar was the methodology used to reinforce that stress point.  Plastic 5-Inch Drones Can’t Fly? You’re Gonna Learn Something Today! |
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I have done a lot. Here's the thing, for the flight controller to work properly it needs clean data in. This means any flex in the frame is not accounted for in the processing, leading to overcorrections or slop. The frame needs to be as rigid as possible, hence carbon fiber or GRP for diy builds. 3D printed can be done, I recommend an exoshell design like a Dji mini or those new 300mph speed record quads. What is not recommended is a race quad flat frame. |
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Originally Posted By Blob: Hoffman Tactical made an interesting drone from TPU that can take a lot of abuse. I wonder how TPU-CF would fare with its improved rigidity. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adPwNKBte5c |
Once you realize that all power comes from the credible threat of the use of deadly force, and the gov't hates you, most things become easy to understand..