Scales for measuring UAV micro-motor static thrust

Abstract

With the advent of micro-sized unmanned helicopters and airplanes weighing under 250 g certain needs for measurement instruments and setups are emerging. The authors have identified the lack of micro-motor measurement instruments and more specifically a static thrust gauge device. For this reason, scales to measure static motor thrust was advised and further developed as a laboratory setup.The motors that are subject to testing with the described instrument are the brushed micro-sized coreless electric motors, well suited for micro-drones with total weight under 250 g. The scale is fitting different sizes of micro-motors and appropriate control of the input voltage is provided. The instrument is measuring simultaneously the applied voltage to the motor and the current it consumes, along with the static thrust the motor generates. The scale is versatile – it measures both pusher and tractor propeller configurations. Pusher propellers in micro-drones are gaining significant attention lately due to their better efficiency characteristics.