Developed a motor testing apparatus to support quadcopter payload design for the NASA SL competition. The test stand was engineered to provide thrust and torque measurements for a variety of brushless DC motors, enabling selection for optimal flight performance.
The system features an aluminum frame construction with a custom-machined mounting plate designed for universal compatibility. Three load cells form the core of the measurement system: one 5kg load cell captures direct thrust measurements along the motor's axis, while two parallel 2kg load cells measure reaction torque. PEEK plastic washers provide electrical isolation for the load cells. Data acquisition is handled by an Arduino Uno microcontroller paired with HX711 load cell amplifiers.