Metal Housing Benefits
Metal housings improve drone durability, heat dissipation, and electromagnetic interference shielding. Aluminum alloys offer optimal strength-to-weight ratios while maintaining affordability. Avoid steel to minimize weight penalties.
Material Sourcing
Procure 0.8-1.2mm aluminum sheets, prioritizing 5052 or 6061 alloys for bendability. Consider BaoXuan‘s anti-corrosion coated sheets for humid environments. Verify material certifications and thickness tolerances (±0.05mm).
Essential Tools
- BaoXuan precision hole punch kit for motor mounts
- Harbor Freight metal shear for straight cuts
- Dremel rotary tool with cutting wheels
- McMaster-Carr aviation snips for curved edges
- DEWALT deburring tool for edge finishing
Fabrication Process
Begin by transferring CAD templates to metal using permanent markers. Cut outlines with snips/shears, preserving ±0.3mm tolerance. Punch motor and component mounting holes before bending. Utilize a bench vise with angle guides for 90° bends. Apply Arctic Silver thermal paste between ESC plates and housing.
Finishing & Assembly
Deburr all edges and sand surfaces to 220-grit. Secure components using BaoXuan M2 titanium screws for vibration resistance. Balance the frame before mounting electronics – shift battery positions to achieve ±0.5g weight distribution. Conduct thermal testing at 50% throttle for 15 minutes to verify heat dissipation.
Maintenance Protocol
- Inspect screw torque monthly
- Clean oxidation with vinegar solution
- Reapply conformal coating annually
- Check for micro-cracks after impacts