MAD Components (MAD Motor) M30 IPE PRO V1.0

The MAD Components M30 IPE PRO V1.0 is a heavy-lift motor with protection class IP35 for industrial delivery drones and Personal Aerial Vehicles (PAV) with 40-inch propellers. MAD Components is a Chinese maker of multicopter drives. The motor measures 122 x 59 mm and weighs 1,630 g; it is offered in 80 or 100 KV.

The recommended propeller is a 40x13.1-inch carbon-fibre (CF) propeller on 12 to 14S. At 80 KV the motor turns roughly 4,100 rpm unloaded on 14S (51.8 V nominal), roughly 3,600 on 12S, and with 100 KV on 14S roughly 5,200. The maximum thrust is 45,200 g, about 28 times the motor mass. In continuous operation the thrust is 12 to 15 kg, so the peak is three to four times higher. A drive of this class is designed around continuous thrust, and the peak is reserve.

IP35 follows the standard for protection classes: the 3 stands for protection against solid objects from 2.5 mm, the 5 for protection against water jets. Legally the uses have to be kept apart: delivery drones above 25 kg take-off weight are outside the open category and need an operating authorisation in the specific category. If the motor is used in crewed aircraft (PAV), the drone rules do not apply, but the airworthiness rules for crewed aircraft. Motor, speed controller (ESC) and battery must carry 12 to 14S.

With a 40-inch propeller large bending moments arise on the shaft, and even slight imbalance passes to the bearings. The checks are true running of the shaft, axial and radial play of the bearings, the condition of the seals and the screw locking at the propeller hub. In continuous operation at 12 to 15 kg of thrust, the winding temperature is the checkpoint: discoloured varnish or a burnt smell means overload.