Top Plate and Arms

This page explains how to assemble the top plate and arms, as well as plugging in the motor cables.

Installing the Top Plate

We will first install the tube clamps on each corner of the bottom plate. These will be used to "clamp" down on the motor arms and hold them securely in place. Place four long, threaded bolts and tube clamps as shown in the photo below.

Tube clamps ready for mounting

After placing the bolts and clamps on each corner of the bottom plate, make sure you run the three ESC cables through each set of clamps. We do this now because it will not be possible after we secure the top plate. These cables will eventually feed through the carbon tubes and connect to the motor leads.

ESC leads coming through a set of tube clamps

The next step is to place the top plate on the bolts and tube clamps. Make sure to place the top plate facing the correct direction. This will become clear as you go through the rest of this section.

Before you put the top plate on, it is convenient to pull all signal cables coming from the ESCs (black and white) to the back. Pull them through the gap in the top plate below the servo rail of the FC.

Rear of drone frame, ESC signal cables, and servo rail from FC

You should pull the two cables coming from the RC receiver and FC power module through the gap underneath the FC, from the right side as seen in the photo above. It will be a lot easier if you do this now as the cables will be hard to access when the top plate is in place.

With the top plate in place, hand-tighten four locknuts in each corner of the frame. We recommend starting with one corner of the frame and working your way around. Get the nuts tight enough so the bolts do not slip down.

Front of drone with top plate hand tightened

Be sure to double-check that no cables are pinched between the top plate and tube clamps.

Installing the Motor Arms

In this section, we will install the motor arms into the tube clamps. Take one of the arms and feed the motor cables into the tube all the way through to the opposite end. The bullet connectors will barely extend beyond the tube as seen in the photo below.

You may notice in the following photos that we have braided our motor and ESC extension cables. This is not necessary but does help make managing all of the cables a bit easier.

Motor cables fed through arm and ready to connect

Now you will connect the male bullet connectors from the motor to the female connectors of the ESC.

Motor cables connected to ESC

You may notice there is quite a bit of slack after connecting the cables, but not to worry as you can feed it in between the top and bottom plates. Slide the arm into the tube mounts while feeding any extra cable slack into the frame.

Motor arm in place but not yet fully secured

Make sure the carbon tube extends no more than 2 mm past the clamps and try to keep this consistent for all four arms. Consistency is key as it provides for the most stable flight. The photo below shows the carbon tube extending 2mm beyond the interior tube clamps.

Before you tighten each arm all the way down make sure the motor is not askew. You want the motor shaft to be perpendicular to the frame (pointing straight up). This is important as it will provide for the most stable and consistent flight.

Motor arm installed perpendicular to the frame

You can now tighten the bolts that go through the tube clamps using the provided hex tool and socket wrench. Repeat this process for all four arms.

After tightening all the tube clamps it is a good idea to go around one more time to make sure the hex nuts are nice and tight.

All motor arms secured and motors pointing straight up