[jm82792]

I have a smaller CNC milled aluminum quadracopter frame I bought from a guy in Taiwan.
My little model CNC 255 is excellent, it's very fast, and if you crash it's very easy to fix.
But the frame does bend, it's aluminum so it's a bit heavy, and maybe I can do better.
I was thinking of machining a one piece frame from UHMW.
I know most people go with carbon fiber but I was thinking a frame that flexes on impact would be better and perhaps more durable.
Anyways I've only seen your standard high density polyethylene cutting boards,
so I am curious what UHMWPE is like when compared to aluminum, carbon fiber, and so forth.
I know it's a really open and vague set of questions, but perhaps you guys can toss me some of your thoughts

[Dylwad]

If you machine it to weigh about the same as the aluminum frame, it will be very flexible. It's not fun stuff to work with either, instead of chips you get long strands that like to wrap around the bit and collet.

It will also warp pretty bad if you machine features out of one side. It's tough stuff, but probably not best suited for a complete frame without being heavy or sacrificing flight characteristics because of the flexibility.

[jm82792]

Out of curiosity since I'm merely looking for a smaller toy to play with initially,
what plastics or composites would be a good contender for aluminum?
HPDE, Delrin, G10? G10 sandwiched with a plastic?
I've just seen many people's quadracopter break apart in a rather terrible fashion from a crash.
Aluminum is nice as I've had mine fall from 100 feet onto a tin roof then concrete without too much damage, while plastic and plain old G10 would have just snapped or otherwise been done for. I know one way is to just go for it and get some experience for the properties of each material, but then again you guys have probably worked with them on a daily basis for years so me asking might save me some agony
In the end I'm thinking in my spare time I'd like to see if some of my ideas can be realized in a little frame, since I'm always needing something to play with...

[Dylwad]

Carbon sheet with delrin spacers would probably be the best, but it all depends on the structural design. Not sure anything made from a solid chunk will handle abuse like aluminum at the same weight.