Application 707

Quadcopter Propeller Torque and Thrust Testing

Application Summary

Professional and hobbyist level quadcopters and drones are becoming more popular in the marketplace. A quadcopter by definition uses its four propellers to generate air lift and change directions. The propellers are designed to work in conjunction with each other to ensure that there are no torque imbalances to send the vehicle spinning out of control.

Products in Use

MBA500 Torque and Thrust Biaxial Sensor paired with Instrumentation (USB220 and IAA Amplifier).

How it Works

In order to characterize the thrust and torque generated by each motor and propeller, a MBA500 is fixed to the motor's end.
When the motor is powered on and rotating, the thrust of the propellers will be measured by the MBA500’s Fz channel, and the back-torque of the motor is measured by the Mz channel, all while maintaining low crosstalk.
This multi-axial sensor, when used with a USB220, allows for a portable setup where a hobbyist/test engineer can use a laptop to analyze the live data of a test both in an outdoor setting or in a more controlled, indoor environment.