Description
VULTURE FRAME KIT WITH PROP GUARD COMBO by STRAW HAT AERIAL
THE SWISS ARMY KNIFE OF CINEMA FPV FRAMES
The main goal of the Vulture drone was to be compatible with the Sony RX0II camera, and because this was such a difficult task, this frame ended up being capable of much more! It is a versatile platform that enables pilots to use small action cameras like GoPro and Sony RX0II, as well as cinema cameras like BMPCC4K and RED Komodo.
It’s a compact little beast of a drone that is up for a wide range of jobs whether you are chasing race cars or filming talent up close.
For detailed information on recommended parts check out the Vulture Rotorbuilds page.
Check out the Vulture GrabCAD page to download STLs for free including spare camera clips.
The Vulture sports a vibration isolation mount that uses a new damping technique that doesn’t require viscoelastic materials like silicone Betagels. Instead, the camera mount slides back and forth along precisely 3D printed polypropylene bushings to cancel out vibrations along the lateral axis. This completely eliminates jello when using cameras like the Sony RX0II. Before the Vulture, the Sony RX0II could only be used with 5 inch drones or smaller, but thanks to this new discovery, 6 and 7 inch props are compatible with this sensitive, but amazing camera.
The Vulture is similar to a cinelifter in that it handles a variety of payloads, but in addition, fast workflow was a major concern in its design. A miniature camera quick release system was developed in conjunction with the vibration isolation mount to allow rapid and tool-less swapping between camera payloads.
For those who value versatility and don’t always want to bring several different drones for different applications on set, the Vulture is a great option to simplify things for you. The Vulture is suitable for camera payloads ranging from 120g all the way up to 1500g without requiring changes to the PID tune. Of course, with light payloads the Vulture becomes a speed demon capable of the most aggressive of acro maneuvers. And once it’s bearing a cinema camera, it is a great cinewhoop platform when used with optional propeller guards.
PROP GUARDS THAT ACTUALLY WORK
Check out the Vulture GrabCAD page for free STL downloads of prop guard fittings in case you have a bad crash and tear one of your 3D printed fittings.
Most propeller guards for cinelifters are made of carbon fiber because it is easy to manufacture, lightweight, and rigid. The issue is that they care quite brittle becuase they are typically thin and lightweight and they can still cause property damage and injuries because the edges are sharp. Ideally, plastic injection molded prop guards would be used, but for larger propeller sizes like 5 inches and above, the mold cost is too high to justify. 3D printing ducts or guards is feasible, but cannot be manufactured quickly and efficiently…
My solution to this problem was to use a combination of 3D printed Polypropylene parts and custom extruded nylon tubing. The nylon tubing is lightweight, smooth, and flexible enough to protect the propellers and not cause damage to whatever they impact. The Polypropylene prints are key because 3D printed PP is just as strong in the Z-axis as it is in the X and Y axis due to it’s superior layer adhesion. This makes the 3D prints very durable in crashes and allows for more complicated design geometry.
An important design consideration for these prop guards was to make installation and removal as easy as possible. This would allow for the Vulture to become a convertible drone, switching from action cam to cinema camera quickly and without requiring tools. The “prop garter” system has a dual function, both to hold the outer rim and to keep the tubes fixed to the arm ends using a plug that fits inside the 8mm motor holes.
Thanks to the incredible layer adhesion of the polypropylene 3D prints, hose barb-like fittings can be used to join the nylon tubing segments without compromising durability and maintaining flexibility to conform to the curvature of the guards.
Summary of Features
- Quick release camera clip system
- Vibration isolation mount compatible with Sony RX0II
- Wide payload capacity 120g-1500g
- Optional press-on propeller guards for cinewhoop mode
- Easy tuning with integrated frame damping
- Removable side shrouds to protect internal components
Specifications for Vulture Frame
- 6 inch propeller size
- 8mm thick arms
- 281g frame weight including camera mount and side shrouds
- Motor-to-motor diagonal dimension is 268mm
Specifications for Vulture Guards
- Compatible with 6 inch props
- HQ 6×4.5×3 cinewhoop props recommended
- Extruded 1/2″ nylon tubing
- 3D Printed PP fittings
- No tools required
- 127g total weight
- 400mm wide when installed
Vulture Kit + Vulture Guard Combo Package Contents:
- Carbon fiber plates (including a VTX stack mount adapter)
- Stainless steel hardware (including 3X PH3 countersink 1/4-20 in camera screws)
- 2X PETG camera clips
- 2X PETG side shrouds
- 2X 19mm FPV camera side shims
- 2X TPU landing feet
- 2X PETG Battery rail pads
- 2X PETG 20mm joining brackets
- 4X PP slider bushings
- 2X PETG SMA antenna mounts
- Custom-cut silicone rubber pads
- 1X 300mm x 20mm battery strap
- 2X 250mm x 20mm battery strap
- 10X 73mm tubing segments (6″ radius)
- 4X 250mm tubing segments (3″ radius)
- 4X PP 3D printed prop garters
- 4X PP 3D printed hose barbs
- 4X PP 3D printed end plugs
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