UPDATE 05.02.19: Thank you everyone for your support and interest in my design. I have since moved on to new projects and will no longer be updating this Thing, replying to comments or answering messages on Thingiverse. I appreciate all of the comments, builds, downloads and collections, wishing all of you makers a happy 2019 :) Zack.

UPDATE 22.07.17: My newest drone design is live! Check out the HXLMESFlight HF210 here:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:2443581

UPDATE 8.04.17: I finally got some decent pictures of the assembled drone today, including detail shots of the wiring and component placement. I've weighed the frame, and assembled drone with/without battery (see below). I also uploaded a new .stl file for a lower front plate designed to hold an FPV camera (using a standard Foxeer/Run Cam mounting bracket). Lastly, I'd like to give a massive thank you to ElCorbo for building this and sharing his progress with me - it means a lot!

UPDATE 30.03.17: It's been a while since I checked in here, and I'm super excited to see how many views and downloads of this Thing there have been! As per ElCorbo's request, today I've added some photos (will soon be replaced with high-res versions) of the final wiring and assembly; and uploaded some .stl files for the custom brackets I designed to supplement the main frame. The battery bracket is designed to prevent the battery from damaging the FC stack in the event of a crash. It slides over the rear standoffs, and provides a mounting point for your VTx aerial too. You might need to modify the base of the bracket (as the picture shows) depending on the layout of your PDB to leave room for the battery wiring. The other two parts (VTx/Rx brackets) slide over the centre standoffs (back to back) and provide mounting options for both your receiver and video transmitter. I designed the 'shelf' to hold a TBS Unify Pro. If you want other mounting options, I highly recommend fixing these components to the underside of the upper plate using 3M VHB tape. I've also included a photo of how I run my Rx antenna, don't make the same mistake I did initially (not securing it properly) and having it shredded by the props :/ Lastly, I have a 12v LED panel up front underneath the lower plate. It is held in place with zip-ties. As you can see from the pictures, I don't currently have this drone set up for FPV as I last used it for testing and had my GoPro Session strapped to its mount in the upper plate. That is why you can't see the camera and VTx in the photos :)

UPDATE: The initial testing of this frame has been completed; I am pleased to announce this has been a huge success! After several severe crashes, the original frame design suffered cracked arms and even a split upper plate. Since these tests, I have completely redesigned these most vulnerable parts and have had no further critical damage. The arms are also thicker, and the upper plate now features a mounting bracket for the GoPro Session along with a second layer of bracing throughout.

These plans are free for anyone interested in testing and sharing their results. You may remix, modify or otherwise alter this design and share it as your own variation, whilst giving credit to me as the original designer/owner.

Flight video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGcsfYci72s

Design brief: To design and build a prototype remote-controlled flying quadcopter using 3D printed plastics. The design must be strong enough to cope with the forces imposed upon it during flight, and resilient enough to endure the (inevitable) crashes it sustains. The 3D printed parts must all fit on a smaller printing bed size of 150mm x 150mm to encompass a wider range of compatible printer models, and be printable from either PLA or ABS plastic. The assembly must be relatively straightforward, and the number of individual parts kept to a minimum. All of the hardware used during assembly must also be easy to source, and the design cannot require specialty parts of any kind.

The design must be aesthetically pleasing and built to a regulation size for racing.

Non-Commercial:
You do not have permission to print and sell this frame, either as a whole or as individual components. You do have permission to print and test this frame for your own use.

Please pay attention and respect the creative commons license these files are released under. This means the files are available for personal use only.

Key features:

• 8 components
• 14 screws
• 6 standoffs
• 4 nuts
• Only 1 tool needed
• Modular design
• Extremely strong/lightweight
• Print with your preferred material
• Quick to print
• M3 x 16/19mm slots for motors
• 30.5mm hole spacing for FC/PDB
• 250mm standard size frame for racing
• Fits 5” propellers
• Battery vents double as hanging point for easy storage
• Built-in motor guards double as torsion reduction
• Print on 150mm x 150mm bed
• No support material needed during printing
• ASSEMBLY IN LESS THAN 3 MINUTES!*

*Check out the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gl3VL2uEo4Y

Weight:
Frame only: 164g
Built FPV (no batt): 447g
Built FPV (w/ batt): 525g

Instructions:

Print one of each of the components (8 total). Use your choice of ABS or PLA plastic. I’m using PLA.

Required hardware:

• 14x M3 x 10mm machine screws
• 6x M3 x 35mm standoffs
• 4x M3 nylon nuts

Print settings:

• Layer Height: 0.25mm
• Walls: 2
• Top/Bottom Layers: 2
• Infill: 60%*

*I use a triangular infill, you may need to increase the density if using a different infill pattern.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/HXLMES