MakeKit Air:bit 2 User manual
2
Teachers! Read this
The Air:bit 2 is a great way to engage the students trough cross curriculumn teaching and learning. Here is some useful information.
Time frame
Building takes 2-3 hours
Coding the remote controller takes 3-4 hours or you can download the readymade code.
Flying takes about 30 minutes (flying and adjusting before battery is empty)
We recommend charging the batteries while coding. Charging with Air:bit V2 takes approx. 1 hour.
Micro:bits
We recommend two micro:bits for a drone/transmitter pair. The drone should have micro:bit V2 on board. See the next page.
Radio channels
Each student should select their own radio channel for transmitter and receiver. (0-255). If you use ready made code, make sure to edit the
variable called radioGroup in makecode before downloading to micro:bit (both transmitter and receiver)
Flying
Use an open space close to where you build the drones. A soft carpet is better than a hard surface in case of crashes. A high ceiling is not
needed (in case of crash, high falls are worse)
Read more about flying at the end of the document or see the video at www.makekit.no/docs
Safety
The propellers are small but spins fast and can make small cuts in the skin. Students should be cautious when the propellers and battery are
both connected. If you leave the propellers unmounted until the end, you can test run the motors first.
Repairs
All parts can be replaced. The most wear goes to propellers and motors. Keep some spares at hand or order more from your distributors or
directly from Makekit (sales@makekit.no)
More activities
Did you know you can 3d-print a frame for Air:bit? Or make a smart glove remote? Check out more projects at www.makekit.no/docs
3
Micro:bit V1 or V2?
V2
The remote control works great on both micro:bit V1 and V2.
Air:bit 2 relies on the micro:bit for high speed calculations and stabilisation. Therefore,
we highly recommend using micro:bit V2 on the drone.
V1 V2
OR
4
If you experience trouble getting the
air:bit to fly, please see page 61.
?
5
Fast rotation propellers can hurt humans and animals
To prevent injury, do:
•Mount the propellers at after all building and coding is
done. Test that you can start and stop motors (shake to
stop)
•Keep a distance when arming and flying the drone.
•Children under 8 years and animals must be kept at a safe
distance, at least 5 meters away even indoors.
•Use propeller protector if possible
•Follow local FAA regulations
Safety warning
Lithium batteries can release smoke or cause a fire
To prevent damage, do:
•Don’t charge the batteries unattended
•Don’t use a damaged or punctured battery
•Do not short circuit the battery
•Avoid temperatures below -10 and +50 degrees celcius.
•Don’t use batteries that are colder than 15 degrees celcius
•Always have a plan for what to do in case of a fire: If you are
indoor, open a window and get the battery outside to prevent
smoke or fire.
•Do not open or modify the battery in any way.
•For optimal performance, store the battery at around 50%
capacity and between 10 and 20 degrees celcius
•Follow airport regulations for carrying lithium batteries on
airplanes. (Usually hand luggage only)
Watch your fingers -
do not touch the
rotating propellers!
6
Meet the micro:bit V1
Front Backside
You can learn more at: https://tech.microbit.org/hardware/
micro:bit is a small computer with prosessor, sensors, display and radio. It
has connection pins for external components like LEDs, speakers or various
sensors.
Antenna
2,4 gHz
Reset button
USB Battery 3V
Button BButton A
Screen (5x5 pixels)
Sensors
Haircut
Gold teeth
7
The micro:bit V2
Front Backside
The micro:bit V2 is very similar to V1 but with extra features, like:
Microphone, speaker, touch button, faster processor and more memory.
The “gold teeth” looks different compared to V1, for better grip with
crocodile clips.
Air:bit can work on V1 and V2, but V2 gives more processing power for
advanced users.
Antenna
2,4 gHz
Reset button
USB Battery 3V
Button BButton A
Screen (5x5 pixels)
Sensors
Gold teeth
Speaker
“V2”
mark
Microphone
Touch button
10x20mm
coreless
dc-motores 3.7v
(replacable)
Screen showing flight
directions and battery
status
micro:bit with
Microsoft
make:code
1 cell 3,7v
800 mAh
LiPo-battery
Air:bit control
board with charger
Propeller
protection mount
Expansion ports:
Servo, kamera, i2c,
serial (jst picoblade)
Air:bit 2
More info: Visit airbit.no
6 layers
“unbreakable”
birch plywood
Propeller:
Gemfan 65mm
Polycarbonate
Nylons screws/
spacers M3
The micro:bit drone
Hand control
micro:bit
AA battery pack
(Farnell)
Holder, plywood
Throttle
indicator
Flight directions (roll, pitch)Rotation (yaw)
Motion based
control with
accelerometer
Increase altitude
Decrease
altitude
By MakeKit
i2c (sensors)
Micro
servo/
camera
Red: Charging
Green: Finished
USB power
(charging)
Front-right motor
Servo connector
Back-right motor
Front-left motor
Back-left motor
Battery plug
Control board
Servo connector
Parts
remote -
holder
11
1 frame
airply 3mm
4 propeller
(+4 spares)
4 CW, 4 CCW
6 nylon screw m3x8 11 nylon
nuts
5 nylon screw
m3x12
4 spacers
m3x20
2 nylon screw
countersunk
Control board
4 wedges
Micro:bit
battery box*
5 aluminium
Spacer rings
2 micro:bits*
1 micro usb
cable*
1 Lithium
(LiPo)-battery
Red silicone ring
*the universal microbit parts usually sold separately
Rubber
Band
Motors:
4 CW/CCW
Note: CW means Clockwise rotation, CCW means counter
clock wise
Tools
12
Small philips
screwdriver Socket wrenches
5.5mm (included)
13
Charging
Parts:
Lithium (LiPo)-
battery
Air:bit control board
Micro USB-
Cable
1. The battery can be charge with or without the micro:bit connected.
2. Plug the big white battery plug into the grey connector
3. Connect the micro USB into the Airbit control board (not the microbit)
4. Connect the other end into a USB charge outlet
5. Red light indicates charging. Green light indicates charging finished.
It takes about 1 hour to charge.
6. To prevent battery drain, always unplug battery when not in use!
Fire hazard:
Never charge a Lithium battery unattended!
14
Assembly
Assemble the remote
15
2 nylon
nuts m3
Remote holder
Parts:
• Place the micro:bit with screen facing up on top of the holder and
mount it with the screws somewhat tightened
• Mount battery box with the silicone ring
• You can use different battery boxes
Tools: Philips Screwdriver
Battery box AAA
2 nylon screws
m3x8
Red silicone ring
16
Mounting the frame
4 stk nylon screws m3x8
Center frame
Rubber band
Parts:
4 spacers
m3x20
Tools: Philips Screwdriver
• Hook the rubber band from one knob, under the frame,
to the next hook, over the frame, and back.
• Mount the spacers with the screws. Notice, the text
should face up while the legs points down.
• The rubber band will be visible on both sides of the
frame
17
Mounting the motors
4 wedges
4 motors
Parts:
Forward
• First insert a wedge and wiggle it in place into the frame,
• Then push the motor upwards to click into place. (All 4 motors). Use both hands and
both thumbs to push the motor forward.
• Then pull the motor cables trough each notch to tidy them up a bit. Lay the cables to
the sides.
18
•Pull the screws trough to the back side of the
board (where the big letters are)"
•Attatch the nuts with a screwdriver and a socket
wrench
Parts:
Countersunk screws
2 x
Nylon nuts
2 x
countersunk
screws
Control board
Tools: Philips Screwdriver, socket wrench
19
•From the backside of the board, insert the 5
screws."
•Hold the screws with your index finger while you
flip the control board."
•Insert the 5 spacer rings.
Parts:
Control board
5 aluminium
spacer rings
5 nylon screws m3x12 (blue)
20
Parts:
5 nuts
micro:bit
micro:bit
Tools: Philips Screwdriver, wrench
5.5mm
•Place the micro:bit on the five screws"
•Carefully add the five nuts and mount them loosely before lifting the unit"
•Add some tension using a screwdriver and the socket wrench. "
•The screws must be slightly tightened for the drone to work as they
conduct electric signal between the boards.
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