Antenna Tracker

Written By John Hughes

I designed and built this antenna tracker during my time as a member of the Monash UAS student team. It was built as a high performance upgrade capable of maneuvering 10 kg antennas to accurately track the team’s competition aircraft.

Key Features:

  • Universal threaded hole mounting pellet for flexible mounting options

  • Geared stepper motors for accurate high torque actuation

  • Dual roller taper bearing primary spindle for rigidity and high load capacity

  • Belt drive design to prevent damage to mechanism in the event of any collisions


Project Details:

  • Gained valuable experience with waterjet cutting, TIG welding, turning and milling

  • The project was an important lesson in time management, being completed over 4 weeks alongside study and work.

  • 3D CAD completed using AutoDesk Inventor & nesting CAD done with AutoDesk AutoCAD

  • Instrumental in achieving first place in the 2018 international UAV Challenge.


Assembled Antenna Tracker

Manufacturing the parts

Three view of CAD model

Assembly drawing of main spindle

John Hughes
Previous

MPS IR-5
Next

Dual Propeller Thrust Test Rig