Questions You Should Know about Light Load Drone Winch
Best motor type for a lightweight winch - NI Community
Hi,
I am building a winch for a drone and my first attempt at making one did not work out very well.
I used a microgear DC motor (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/) driven by an H-bridge that will output up to 12V.
The DC motor has a 5:1 gear ratio, a torque of 0.5 oz/in, and a max RPM of .
The motor shaft is attached to a hub (https://www.sparkfun.com/products/) which is then expoxied to a sewing bobbin.
The bobbin is loaded with 10lb braid (very thin but strong).
The payload attached to the line is 47g.
The issue that I am facing is that, without applying any voltage to the motor, the payload will freefall with some resistance.
If I apply a certain amount of torque, the payload can hold its position when the drone is still, but the DC motor makes a very loud and sharp buzzing noise.
Any upward movement of the drone will make the payload lower itself, and any downward movement of the drone will make the payload lift up closer to the spool.
This does not seem to be a good design at all.
What type of motor, gear, and control mechanism should I be using if I want:
- light weight motor (<30g)
- the payload kept steady in its position regardless of how the drone is moving
- the ability to quickly drop a quickly lift the payload (at a rate of at least 0.25 m/s with a spool of ~1.5cm diameter)
Thank you,
Wadii
Hi liquidwad,
I don't think this is the best place to get a good answer to your question. This forum is mainly to support National Instruments hardware - I think that you might have better luck looking here:
HobbyKing Forums: Electric Motors - https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=31
Based on the application you just described and the behavior you are seeing, I would first suggest maybe staying away from using DC motors. I say this because DC motors don't really have any idle torque, unlike a stepper motor, which isn't going to turn unless you tell it to turn.
Outside of that, I think you are better off looking at the HobbyKing forum for this answer.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website NEW WING Drone Winch.
G-IV
Payloads For Drones In Emergency Response - DSLRPros
Drones are an asset for emergency response teams, due to their rapid deployment and flexibility. They cut down time spent during search and rescue missions, are safer for police teams assessing volatile situations before sending in ground personnel, and even cost a fraction of deploying helicopters whenever there is a callout. The unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) versatility expands with the kind of payloads that they can carry for such missions. That will be our focus here.
Drone Payloads 101: What They Are, And How They Work
When we talk about "payload" in drones, we're referring to all the extra gear that a UAV carries beyond the basics needed for flight. They really boost what the drone can do, and typically include things like cameras, sensors, communication tools, and sometimes even delivery items like medical supplies.
For example, cameras and sensors mounted on drones can capture crucial visual and thermal information from disaster zones – from floods to earthquakes, which helps in making smarter, quicker decisions. Detecting heat signatures is particularly beneficial during night searches or in dense areas where visibility is low, enabling SAR teams to locate missing individuals. Where roads might be blocked or areas are too dangerous for ground teams, drones can carry payloads like medical supplies, food, or water directly to people in need. Even during hostage situations or when suspects barricade themselves, drones can carry small, maneuverable cameras to provide live feeds to tactical teams. This payload allows law enforcement to monitor the situation safely and plan their approach without putting officers directly in harm's way.
The kind of payload that emergency response drones carry is determined by several factors, including:
• Weight and Flight Stability: The weight of the payload can significantly influence a drone's flight dynamics. Heavier payloads may reduce flight stability and maneuverability. This is due to the increased weight requiring adjustments in the drone's motor power, propeller size, or flight controller settings to maintain stability during flight.
• Battery Life and Flight Time: Carrying heavier payloads increases the power consumption of the drone, leading to reduced flight times. This is because heavier payloads require more energy to lift and maintain in the air, thereby draining the battery quicker. To address this, some advancements have been made in battery technology, such as the use of semi-solid batteries that provide greater energy efficiency without significantly increasing weight.
Each drone has a specified maximum payload capacity. Exceeding this limit can strain the drone's motors and lead to potential damage, so avoid the temptation, even with heavy lift drones. The design and integration of the payload are also critical, as poor integration can cause uneven weight distribution, affecting the drone’s flight performance and stability.
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