VMC Mounting

Mounting

We will now mount the VMC using the 3D printed components covered in the pre-requisites section of this GitBook. This includes the VMC mounting blocks and case. The VMC is the "brains" behind your VRC drone build and will be responsible for running the Bell software stack during testing and on competition day.

3D printed mounting case and blocks for VMC

Go ahead and secure your VMC in the 3D printed case using zip ties as seen below.

Zip tie VMC to the 3D printed mount

With the VMC fasted into the mount the next step is to attach the mount to the blocks. These blocks will provide enough clearance for the VMC to rest above the FC. The blocks can be attached with zip ties as well. The photo below shows one of the blocks attached and the orientation of the other block before attaching.

Attaching blocks to VMC mount

After attaching the blocks with zip ties your 3D printed VMC mount should like the photo below.

3D printed VMC mount complete

The next step will be to attach the VMC mount to the drone frame. The photo below shows the orientation relative to the drone frame. Notice that the USB ports of the VMC are facing the front of the frame and the WiFi antennas are facing the rear.

The VMC blocks will attach to the two holes on the right and left of the frame with zip ties. This will position the VMC over the FC. Make sure the telemetry cable is hanging off to the left side of the frame.

For added security we recommend placing a small piece of double-sided tape on each side of the drone frame in between the mounting holes as seen below.

Top down view of where VMC will mount over FC

Secure the VMC mount directly over the holes on the left and right side of the frame. The double-sided tape will make it easy to place the mount into position and then secure with zip ties.

VMC mounted over FC and secured with zip ties

At this point you can go ahead and connect the 2x20 crimp housing and barrel plug into the VMC as shown in the photo below.

VMC with telemetry cable and power connected

Cooling

During Phase II testing you will be running the VRC software stuck on your VMC. Since we make extensive use of the VMC's CPU and GPU it can heat up significantly. It's important to keep your VMC cool and in this section you will install a cooling fan onto the top of the VMC heat sink.

VMC cooling fan with mounting bolts and nuts

Place your cooling fan on top of the heat sink and insert all four bolts through the fan and the heat sink. Using needle nose pliers you can hold the nut into place and screw the bolt tight with a phillips head screwdiver.

The nuts provided with the cooling fan are not self-locking. It's a good idea to check them from time to time or use a small amount of thread locker to keep them secure.

Mounting the cooling fan with needle nose pliers

After mounting the cooling fan plug the connector into your VMC as shown below.

Cooling fan connected to VMC

The cooling fan only operates when your VMC exceeds a certain temperature. Once it cools the VMC beneath the temperature threshold it will shut off.