[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":160},["ShallowReactive",2],{"LOHBKC6RDuPvO2z3VSN2V7_oflXohpF5SAMMtP56YgU":3,"article_quadcopter-drone-build_solidworks":10,"_apollo:default":158,"_apollo:identified":159},{"mailchimpAudience":4},{"actionUrl":5,"slug":6,"locale":7,"default":8,"__typename":9},"","quadcopter-drone-build","en","https:\u002F\u002F3ds.us3.list-manage.com\u002Fsubscribe\u002Fpost?u=ed4601044e1936748c0d2aa6b&id=e5080ff9fe&f_id=002d4de2f0","MailchimpAudience",{"posts":11},{"nodes":12,"__typename":157},[13],{"id":14,"slug":6,"title":15,"uri":16,"excerpt":17,"locale":18,"featuredImage":21,"tableOfContents":30,"content":46,"date":47,"authorJobTitle":5,"author":48,"masterings":60,"globalTags":64,"products":78,"disciplines":92,"seo":146,"__typename":156},"cG9zdDo1MDc2Mg==","Quadcopter Drone Build","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Fquadcopter-drone-build","\u003Cp>          Two teammates and I designed and built…\u003C\u002Fp>\n",{"locale":19,"__typename":20},"en_US","Locale",{"node":22,"__typename":29},{"large":23,"__typename":24,"medium_large":25,"thumbnail":26,"srcSet":27,"sizes":28},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdone-rendering-e1611580226505-1024x477.jpg.webp","MediaItem","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdone-rendering-e1611580226505-768x358.jpg.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdone-rendering-e1611580226505-150x150.jpg.webp","https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdone-rendering-e1611580226505-1024x477.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdone-rendering-e1611580226505-300x140.jpg.webp 300w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdone-rendering-e1611580226505-768x358.jpg.webp 768w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdone-rendering-e1611580226505.jpg.webp 1248w","(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px","NodeWithFeaturedImageToMediaItemConnectionEdge",[31,32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45],"|-0","Design|design-1","Build|build-2","|-3","|-4","|-5","|-6","|-7","|-8","Assembly|assembly-9","|-10","|-11","|-12","|-13","Fly!|fly-14","\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"615\" height=\"384\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdrone-team-615x384-1.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-50764\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdrone-team-615x384-1.jpg.webp 615w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdrone-team-615x384-1-300x187.jpg.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"615\" height=\"286\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdone-rendering-e1611580226505-615x286-1.jpg.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-50765\" srcset=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdone-rendering-e1611580226505-615x286-1.jpg.webp 615w, https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdone-rendering-e1611580226505-615x286-1-300x140.jpg.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 615px) 100vw, 615px\" \u002F>\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>Two teammates and I designed and built this quadcopter “Kiwi the Drone” via Boston University’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicles club.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"-3\">\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"design-1\">Design\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>We used SOLIDWORKS to create multiple frame designs and construct their assemblies. The ultimate goal was to minimize weight while maximizing strength. We used SOLIDWORKS Stress Analysis with multiple use cases to weigh these factors. Here are a couple photos from the simulation:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"210\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fvertical_edge_drone_arm-300x210-1.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-50766\">\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Cp>      \u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cfigure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\">\u003Cimg loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"174\" src=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fdrone_arm_inner_side-300x174-1.png.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-50767\">\u003C\u002Ffigure>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"build-2\">Build\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>Once we had finalized our frame design, it was time to make the pieces! We used a CNC router to create the arms and body plates from a sheet of polycarbonate.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"-3\">\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"-3\">\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"-3\">\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"-6\">\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>\n\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"-3\">\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"-3\">\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"assembly-9\">Assembly\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>We attached the motors and the flight controller directly to the frame. We trimmed the motor wires and soldered plugs to them, to make the wires fit more easily, and wired the electronic speed controllers (ESCs) to the controller and motors. We then used the Cleanflight flight controller software to get kiwi ready to take off.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"-3\">\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"-3\">\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"-3\">\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"-3\">\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Ch2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"fly-14\">Fly!\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>Check out this quick video of Kiwi the Drone’s first flight.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cdiv class=\"ds-video\">\u003Ca data-3ds-videoplayer=\"modal\" href=\"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fimg_9460.mp4\" target=\"_blank\">\u003Cspan class=\"ImageCover Border Block\" style=\"background-image: url(\u002Fassets\u002Fimg\u002F3ds-default.webp); width:100%; height: 100%;\">\u003Cspan class=\"Btn--circle isCenter\">\u003Ci class=\"Icon Icon--playBig\">\u003C\u002Fi>\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003Cimg decoding=\"async\" src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fimg\u002F3ds-default.webp\" alt=\"\" style=\"width:100%;\">\u003C\u002Fspan>\u003C\u002Fa>\u003C\u002Fdiv>","2021-01-25T13:00:31",{"node":49,"__typename":59},{"nicename":50,"description":51,"slug":50,"name":52,"firstName":53,"lastName":54,"avatar":55,"__typename":58},"amiller","I am an engineering intern at the Dassault Systèmes Fab Lab in Boston and a Mechanical Engineering Masters student at Boston University. I am most interested in the intersection of Art and Engineering and am passionate about STEAM education. I am an avid maker and am always looking for the next craft to dive into!","Alexandra Miller","Alexandra","Miller",{"url":56,"__typename":57},"https:\u002F\u002Fblog-assets.solidworks.com\u002Fuploads\u002F2025\u002F12\u002Fwhatsapp-image-2020-11-09-at-11-34-35-am-e1604941050141-120x120-1.jpeg-96x96.webp","Avatar","User","NodeWithAuthorToUserConnectionEdge",{"nodes":61,"edges":62,"__typename":63},[],[],"PostToTaxonomy_masteringConnection",{"nodes":65,"__typename":77},[66,72],{"id":67,"name":68,"slug":69,"uri":70,"__typename":71},"dGVybTo5NjAx","3D CAD","3d-cad","\u002Ftags\u002F3d-cad\u002F","Taxonomy_tag",{"id":73,"name":74,"slug":75,"uri":76,"__typename":71},"dGVybTo5NTk5","Design","design","\u002Ftags\u002Fdesign\u002F","PostToTaxonomy_tagConnection",{"edges":79,"nodes":89,"__typename":91},[80],{"isPrimary":81,"node":82,"__typename":88},false,{"id":83,"name":84,"slug":85,"uri":86,"__typename":87},"dGVybTo1Ng==","SOLIDWORKS","solidworks","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002F","Taxonomy_product","PostToTaxonomy_productConnectionEdge",[90],{"id":83,"name":84,"slug":85,"uri":86,"__typename":87},"PostToTaxonomy_productConnection",{"nodes":93,"edges":135,"__typename":145},[94,106,115,124],{"id":95,"name":68,"slug":69,"uri":96,"parentId":97,"disciplines":98,"__typename":105},"dGVybTo2MA==","\u002Fdisciplines\u002F3d-cad\u002F","dGVybTo1OA==",{"nodes":99,"__typename":104},[100],{"title":68,"uri":101,"parentId":102,"__typename":103},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fdesign-engineering\u002F3d-cad","cG9zdDozNzcz","Discipline","Taxonomy_disciplineToDisciplineConnection","Taxonomy_discipline",{"id":97,"name":107,"slug":108,"uri":109,"parentId":110,"disciplines":111,"__typename":105},"Design and Engineering","design-engineering","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fdesign-engineering\u002F",null,{"nodes":112,"__typename":104},[113],{"title":107,"uri":114,"parentId":110,"__typename":103},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fdesign-engineering",{"id":116,"name":117,"slug":118,"uri":119,"parentId":110,"disciplines":120,"__typename":105},"dGVybTo3Ng==","Manufacturing","manufacturing","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fmanufacturing\u002F",{"nodes":121,"__typename":104},[122],{"title":117,"uri":123,"parentId":110,"__typename":103},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fmanufacturing",{"id":125,"name":126,"slug":127,"uri":128,"parentId":129,"disciplines":130,"__typename":105},"dGVybTo2OQ==","Students","students","\u002Fdisciplines\u002Fstudents\u002F","dGVybTo2Ng==",{"nodes":131,"__typename":104},[132],{"title":126,"uri":133,"parentId":134,"__typename":103},"\u002Fdisciplines\u002Feducation\u002Fstudents","cG9zdDozNzgx",[136,139,141,143],{"isPrimary":81,"node":137,"__typename":138},{"parentId":97,"id":95,"name":68,"slug":69,"uri":96,"__typename":105},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnectionEdge",{"isPrimary":81,"node":140,"__typename":138},{"parentId":110,"id":97,"name":107,"slug":108,"uri":109,"__typename":105},{"isPrimary":81,"node":142,"__typename":138},{"parentId":110,"id":116,"name":117,"slug":118,"uri":119,"__typename":105},{"isPrimary":81,"node":144,"__typename":138},{"parentId":129,"id":125,"name":126,"slug":127,"uri":128,"__typename":105},"PostToTaxonomy_disciplineConnection",{"canonical":5,"title":147,"metaDesc":5,"opengraphAuthor":5,"opengraphDescription":148,"opengraphTitle":15,"opengraphUrl":149,"opengraphSiteName":150,"opengraphPublishedTime":151,"opengraphModifiedTime":152,"twitterTitle":5,"twitterDescription":5,"readingTime":153,"metaRobotsNoindex":154,"__typename":155},"Quadcopter Drone Build - Blog Solidworks","          Two teammates and I designed and built…","\u002Fproducts\u002Fsolidworks\u002Fquadcopter-drone-build\u002F","Blog Solidworks","2021-01-25T18:00:31+00:00","2026-03-06T13:23:55+00:00",1,"noindex","PostTypeSEO","Post","RootQueryToPostConnection",{},{},1776256090453]