Howdy from Texas

[imagebuff]

Hello everyone. I've got a Max v2 on order and am reading the forum every chance I get for guidance. Seems to be a great forum with great people! This feels a lot like when I was just getting into RC FPV (first person view) flying and was sucking up every piece of information I could get my hands on while gradually building up my knowledge, experience, and gear inventory. I have to tell you this makes me feel like a kid again. I have a feeling this will become my second addiction .

If there are any avid RCers here I'm imagebuff on the FPVLab and RCGroups forums.

Question: Anyone using Autodesk Fusion 360 to design their models? I'm working through some training videos now.

Thanks
Chris

[geneb]

Welcome to the zoo! It's been years, but I'm the guy that created the EZ Pod for mounting pan/tilt cameras on the Multiplex EZ Star. Rangevideo used to sell them.

FPV is a LOT of fun. I've got an Oculus Rift DK2 on the way and that's one of the tasks I'm going to use it for.

g.

[imagebuff]

Wow EZ star huh. You've been doing this for awhile. I got into it heavy about 3-4 years ago and haven't stopped. It's my passion. Going to rig up a 3D camera for the oculus rifts? I can't wait to hear your experiences with those. I've got a pair of dominator HDs on order to go along with my current dominators but using the oculus headset for FPV would be amazing! Lots hope that the FAA will change their ridiculous position on FPV and goggles soon!

Chris

[geneb]

I've got a Skywalker 1900 that's going to be the new FPV platform. (that buy was Flateric's fault!)

I won't be using stereo cameras - I can't see in stereo (long story) so it doesn't make sense to use more than one camera. I've done a PC->R/C interface before so making it work with the DK2 should be pretty easy. At some point I want to get into doing FPV air combat with 1/4 or 1/2 scale planes. I'll rig a laser that automatically offsets itself in order to replicate the lead required when shooting bullets. That's all a ways out though.

I figure as long as I fly safely and well away from any traffic or people, the FAA can go hang.

g.

[Polygonhell]

Not sure how a if I am, I have several quads set up for FPV, most recent of which is a Blackout mini H quad.
I also have the parts printed and bought for a printed derivative of it.

[artexmg]

Hi there!

I do not feel alone now, I am in Houston

Not THAT avid RC user, but I have some models and, as soon as I gain more experience, planning to get my hands on a FPV system (not quads though, I like more planes, I need something that is difficult to control ... just like the rostock max hehehe)

[Max]

You're in Texas, you're still alone. Unless he lives in your house, he's still probably a tank of gas away. Don't get me wrong I like Dallas, and have many friend there. But nothing is close together in Texas, even in the city everything is spread out.

[McSlappy]

Wow this is so amazing. I heard about the FPV thing only a couple of days ago when I saw an appeal vid done by a couple of guys.... What was the company name... it escapes me... The concept blew my mind and I was totally stoked to see something like that existing! Very cool! And I've learning something new about Gene too!

So you got any FPV vids of flights you've done?!

Also what are your thoughts on Oculus now that Facebook(*cough* DARPA) bought them? Sony doesn't have plans to allow the Morpheus for PC, but I think they should reconsider.

Also what's the cost of a DK2? Are there any real alternatives out there?

[imagebuff]

Hey artexmg... what part of Houston? I'm in Tomball which is just NW of Houston.

[imagebuff]

Here is one of my FPV vids.. nothing spectacular but fun. http://youtu.be/zu5qaTTwLp0

[artexmg]

You're in Texas, you're still alone. Unless he lives in your house, he's still probably a tank of gas away. Don't get me wrong I like Dallas, and have many friend there. But nothing is close together in Texas, even in the city everything is spread out.

[artexmg]

Hey artexmg... what part of Houston? I'm in Tomball which is just NW of Houston.

I am in Katy, ... , so, no that far away then, even less now that they opened the north side of the "99"

[artexmg]

Here is one of my FPV vids.. nothing spectacular but fun. http://youtu.be/zu5qaTTwLp0

This is AWESOME!!!! ... I need to get out this weekend and fly!!

[p38nut]

I tried FPV once. My piloting skills were so rough that I made myself sick watching myself fly!!!

[geneb]

Here's a short video I did YEARS ago showing the PC interface I wrote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiL41-51Duo

g.

[Eaglezsoar]

Here's a short video I did YEARS ago showing the PC interface I wrote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiL41-51Duo

g.

That is really cool. I didn't know you were a programmer but what is the practical use of using a pc, tablet or laptop to control RC?

[geneb]

Programming is my day job, Eagle.

The interface allows you to use realistic aircraft controls to fly an R/C model while wearing display goggles or use a projector to display the outside view on a big screen.
Both the Oculus Rift and castAR have hardware that tracks your head position and orientation at sub-millimeter accuracy. That data can be fed to the pan & tilt rig that the camera is attached to. The camera will then follow your head motion.

g.

[Eaglezsoar]

Programming is my day job, Eagle.

The interface allows you to use realistic aircraft controls to fly an R/C model while wearing display goggles or use a projector to display the outside view on a big screen.
Both the Oculus Rift and castAR have hardware that tracks your head position and orientation at sub-millimeter accuracy. That data can be fed to the pan & tilt rig that the camera is attached to. The camera will then follow your head motion.

g.

I didn't realize the RC planes, quads, etc were that sophisticated.
Sounds like it would be a ton of fun to get the videos and enjoy them.
Technology in just about everything is becoming truly amazing.

[geneb]

There's good reasons my wife has forbidden me from liquid fueled rocket engines and home-built nuclear reactors.

g.

[artexmg]

So, how you doing with your build? are you already pulling your hair as I did with my first Rostock?

Cheers!

[geneb]

You know you're a printer nerd when you mention your "first" Rostock MAX.


g. (has four and no room to talk. )

[imagebuff]

The build is coming along slowly as I only get to work on it in short spurts. The kit seems to go together fairly well and geneb's assembly manual is excellent! I really wish I had bit the bullet and ordered a crimper and connectors already though. I want to try and wrap up the build this weekend but will have to forego the quick disconnects and solder the EZ-struder and hot end directly. I plan on eventually picking up the E3Dv6 so I will retrofit the wiring then I guess.

A few concerns:
Belt Tension - The method for evaluating belt tension is far from scientific and I'm sure I have some variance from one belt to another. Any suggestions? How important is it?

Arm Joints - When I attached the arm joints to the cheapskates I frankly couldn't believe how much friction is induced by the retaining clip (plastic rubbing metal). This has to induce some backlash. I guess that's why folks are moving to magnetic ball joints? So many options here it boggles my mind... arm type, magnet type, sources for parts, arm length, software config adjustment,,uggh.

Now your sorry you asked

Rostock V2 progress as of 7/25

Thanks
Chris

[artexmg]

You know you're a printer nerd when you mention your "first" Rostock MAX.


g. (has four and no room to talk. )

Hahaha ... had not noticed, but you right ... even worst, when you say first of THIS specific model

[artexmg]

The build is coming along slowly as I only get to work on it in short spurts. The kit seems to go together fairly well and geneb's assembly manual is excellent! I really wish I had bit the bullet and ordered a crimper and connectors already though. I want to try and wrap up the build this weekend but will have to forego the quick disconnects and solder the EZ-struder and hot end directly. I plan on eventually picking up the E3Dv6 so I will retrofit the wiring then I guess.

A few concerns:
Belt Tension - The method for evaluating belt tension is far from scientific and I'm sure I have some variance from one belt to another. Any suggestions? How important is it?

Arm Joints - When I attached the arm joints to the cheapskates I frankly couldn't believe how much friction is induced by the retaining clip (plastic rubbing metal). This has to induce some backlash. I guess that's why folks are moving to magnetic ball joints? So many options here it boggles my mind... arm type, magnet type, sources for parts, arm length, software config adjustment,,uggh.

Now your sorry you asked

RostockProgress.jpg

Thanks
Chris

ehem, I am going on vacations!!

See, I the belt tension is something that, in my opinion (and there are a lot of opinions over there, as still not a "scientific method" as far as I know), you will learn to live with

My self, I tended to change the tension like every two days, just to see if something could be improved, until, finally, I left it alone.

Regarding the arms, well, I had not used the new arms, as I upgraded to Carbon Fiber long ago. BUT, I used the original arms. You had to sand those little fellows to get them moving smoothly. I had heard that the new arms are far away from those days, so, I assume that, no matter how friction you have, it is only a matter of reference. But, I am sure geneb knows bettter, he has 4 rostocks!

I personally do not like magnetic arms; they are awesome until they fail, and boy, they will fail, getting a spagethi in your printing bed. I like the Carbon Fiber (I got mine from Tricklaser, really good kit), they are smooooooth. And, are same dimensions than the stock, so, no changes.

Keep asking!

[artexmg]

The build is coming along slowly as I only get to work on it in short spurts. The kit seems to go together fairly well and geneb's assembly manual is excellent! I really wish I had bit the bullet and ordered a crimper and connectors already though. I want to try and wrap up the build this weekend but will have to forego the quick disconnects and solder the EZ-struder and hot end directly. I plan on eventually picking up the E3Dv6 so I will retrofit the wiring then I guess.

A few concerns:
Belt Tension - The method for evaluating belt tension is far from scientific and I'm sure I have some variance from one belt to another. Any suggestions? How important is it?

Arm Joints - When I attached the arm joints to the cheapskates I frankly couldn't believe how much friction is induced by the retaining clip (plastic rubbing metal). This has to induce some backlash. I guess that's why folks are moving to magnetic ball joints? So many options here it boggles my mind... arm type, magnet type, sources for parts, arm length, software config adjustment,,uggh.

Now your sorry you asked

RostockProgress.jpg

Thanks
Chris

Hey, you should put your Rostock up right!!!

(haha .. sorry, couldn't resist)