Motor protection & bottom shapes

Start with a fitted arm outline#

Beta 0.9.3 adds motor protection to the arm-protector tool. First fit the carbon outline, screw centers, and thickness using a photo or SVG drawing. Motor protection does not replace those measurements.

Apply the outline to the workbench, then use Foot style to choose the protection.

Choose a protection style#

• Lightweight arm foot: keeps the basic arm protector without a motor guard.
• Rounded motor bumper: adds rounded protection around the motor.
• Split-toe bando shoe: uses the split-toe protection style.
• Ribbed bando shoe: uses the ribbed protection style.

Motor guards wrap around the outside of the motor and remain open toward the arm and wires. The generator fills gaps between the arm guard and motor protection to form a cleaner connected model. Inspect that connection in the preview and slicer.

Measure and position the motor#

Enter Motor outside diameter using the actual outside of the bell. A motor label such as 2207 describes its stator, not the outside diameter needed here.

Set Clearance around motor, Guard height above arm, and Guard wall thickness. Expand Motor guard adjustment to change Wrap around motor and use Position motor center to locate it in the outline editor.

Check the center against the real motor and screw pattern. Leave room for the spinning bell, propeller, and motor wires. The starting clearance is a fit-test value, not proof that the complete drone is clear.

Choose the bottom shape#

Under Bottom shape, choose:

• Flat: a flat underside.
• Rounded edges: rounds the lower outside edge while retaining a flat landing surface.
• Curved underside: curves the underside across the protector; areas around fasteners may remain flatter to support the screws.

Use Rounding amount for the rounded or curved choices. Rounding is limited where necessary to retain floor and screw-seat material; the available amount also depends on protector height. Read the inline message if the applied amount is smaller than requested.

Bottom shaping preserves the arm-fit and mounting dimensions, but changes contact with the print bed. Inspect orientation, supports, screw recesses, and the remaining floor in your slicer.

Mirror, save, and test#

Mirror foot for opposite arm also mirrors the mounting holes. Check the opposite arm and motor position instead of assuming the frame is perfectly symmetric.

Save an editable .mmproject, then export the STL in the full version. Check the printed fit, motor and propeller clearance, screw length, wire access, and retention before fitting it to a flight build. See Exporting & test printing.