INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this lesson is to assist you in assembling your DIY Parrot Mambo drone kit. Throughout this build process, you will have access to necessary instructions and images of the included drone and components. Make sure to follow along with each step to ensure a successful build.

Please exercise caution when building your drone as some components are more susceptible to damage than others.

If at any time you need support, please check out the FAQ/Troubleshooting page. We are also available for support through

support@ftw-robotics.com.

Topics to covered:

• Components

• Build Process

• Firmware Update

Recommended Tools:

• T-3 Screwdriver

• Pair of Tweezers

COMPONENTS

Main Components of the Mambo Drone

When assembled correctly, the Mambo drone will contain the seven (7) following components:

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• Central Body (Airframe)

• Motors

• PCB (Printed Circuit Board)

• Body Panels

• Propellers

• Hulls

• Battery

Central Body [or AirFrame]

The central body is the main frame of the drone, every other component attaches to it.

Motors

The Mambo Drone has [4] motors:

• [2] Motor [C].

• [2] Motor [A].

Together they are responsible for rotating the props to provide lift.

Motors [A] spin in an anti-clockwise direction and motors [C] spin in a clockwise direction.

PCB [Printed Circuit Board]

The PCB is the brain of the drone and responsible for all controls.  The PCB contains multiple sensors, connection ports, and a vertical camera.

Body Panels

The Body Panels are the sum of [4] shield parts that once installed provide [2] functions:

• Protect the PCB [Printed Circuit Board], keep it clean and safe.

• Provide a stylish look for the drone.

Propellers [props]

Props are responsible for the lift and upward motion of the drone.

There are [4] propellers total:

• [2] rotate clockwise [C].

• [2] rotate anti-clockwise [A].

Hulls

There are FOUR hulls on the drone, and each is positioned around a propeller to protect the blade.

Battery

The Mambo battery is the power source of the drone.

A battery fully charges in approximately [30] minutes and will power the Mambo for approximately [8] minutes of flight time.

PARROT MAMBO BUILD [DO IT YOURSELF]

Fully Assembled Parrot Mambo Drone

The DIY Parrot Mambo Drone Kit build process comprises a total of [8] parts.

Unboxing

Part 01 - UNBOXING

Motors & PCB

Part 02 - ATTACHING MOTORS

Part 03 - PCB [PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD]

Part 04 - ATTACHING MOTOROS TO PCB

Panels, Props & Hulls

Part 05 - BODY PANELS

Part 06 - PROPELLERS & HULLS

Battery

Part 07 - BATTERY & CHARGER

Firmware

Part 08 - FIRMWARE UPDATE

PART 01:  UNBOXING

Kit includes:

• [1] Central Body [or Airframe]

• [1] Printed Circuit Board [PCB + Camera]

• [1] Set of Propellers [2][A] & [2][C]

• [1] Set of Motors [2][A] & [2][C]

• [1] Set of Hulls [4] pieces

• [1] Set of Body Panels [4] pieces

• [1] Set of Feet [4] pieces (attached)

• [1] Set of Screws [16] - includes [1] extra

• [1] T-3 Screwdriver

• [1] Pair of Tweezers

• [1] Battery and Charging Cable

PART 02:  ATTACHING THE MOTORS

Step 1: Motor Placement

Place the central body [or airframe] and [4] motors, [2][A] & [2][C], in the open workspace. The [A] motors are identified by [WHITE] wires, the [C] motors are identified by [RED] wires. Make sure to identify the front of the drone before attaching the motors.

Step 2: Peel Feet

If the feet are attached, gently peel the bottom of each foot up and hold out of the way when attaching each motor. 

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Note: If the four black feet are not attached to the central body, skip Step 2 and go to Step 2B for specific instructions.

*DO NOT COMPLETELY REMOVE FEET

Next, slide the motor wire through the motor slot. 

Lastly, push the motor gently into the motor slot leaving approximately ½” of the motor exposed.

Step 2B: Motor Installation (Feet Unattached)

If the feet are not attached to the central body, thread the motor wire through the opening and push the motor gently into the motor slot leaving approximately ½” of the motor exposed.

Step 2C: Attach Feet

Now is a good time to attach the feet. Attach the feet by first sliding the top notch of the foot over the top tab. Gently push down on the center of the foot, towards the bottom tab. Slide the bottom notch over the bottom tab.

PART 03:  PCB [PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD]

Step 1: Attaching Camera

Attach the camera to the PCB. Start by laying the camera and sticky next to the PCB and then identifying the location where the camera will attach to the PCB.

NOTE: If your PCB already has the camera attached, please skip ahead to Step 4.

Step 2: Placing Sticky Pad

Prepare the camera to be connected to the PCB by peeling off one side of the sticky and attaching it to the bottom side of the camera.  Attach the sticky so it is perfectly aligned with the edges of the camera.

Step 3: Align & Connect Camera

Remove the paper from the other side of the sticky. Carefully align the connector on the bottom of the camera to the connecting port on the PCB. Gently push down on the connector to snap it in place – listen for a gentle click indicating the connection is made. Finally, push down on the camera so the sticky adheres to the PCB and remove the bluish, protective film covering the lens.

Example of proper camera installation:

Step 4: Central Body Arrangement

Arrange the central body, with motors attached, and the PCB in the open workspace as shown in the picture.

Step 5: PCB to Airframe Connection

Flip over the central body as pictured and attach the PCB by connecting the “Lego-Style” port to the top of the central body. Make sure the PCB is positioned at the front of the central body as pictured.

Step 6: Lego-Style Port Attachment

Secure the “Lego-Style” port of the PCB to the central body using [4] screws.

Step 7: PCB Bend & Attachment

Bend the PCB as pictured below so it fits over the bottom of the central body. Note there are [4] holes used to attach the PCB to the central body, however, do not permanently attach at this point.

Step 1: Motor Wire Connections

Attach the motor wire to the corresponding port on the PCB as pictured. Note the motor wire connects to the port furthest away. Make sure the [2] gold circles at the end of the wire are facing upwards when attaching to the PCB.

Press firmly down at the end of the wire and click securely into place. Lightly pull on each wire to ensure they are attached properly.

Step 2: Motor Wire Placment

Tuck each motor wire into its corresponding channel on the central body. It might be helpful to use the flat side of the screwdriver to ensure the wire is properly embedded.

Step 3: Antenna Placement

The drone may or may not be equipped with an antenna [located next to the power button]. If it is, insert the antenna wire into the hole located next to the antenna on the central body [pictured]. If it does not have an antenna, there is no need for concern. Proceed to the next step.

Step 1: Bottom Body Panel Installation

Use [4] screws to attach the bottom body panel to the central body. Make sure the PCB is lined up properly under the panel.

Step 2: Inner Front Body Panel Installation

Using [2] screws, attach the inner front body panel to the central body.

Step 3: Top Body Panel Installation

Attach the top body panel [WHITE] using [3] screws.

Step 4: Outer Front Body Panel Installation

Attach the outer front body panel [WHITE] using [2] screws.

Propellers “snap” onto the corresponding motor.

When “snapping” propellers into place, make sure to press the center point in a gentle but firm manner.

Step 1: Propeller [A] Installation

Attach [A] propellers to the corresponding [A] motors.

Step 2: Propeller [C] Installation

Attach [C] propellers to the corresponding [C] motors.

Important Note: Step 3 (next slide) presents the “Propeller Orientation Test” to help ensure proper propeller installation.

Step 3: Propeller Orientation Test

To ensure proper propeller installation, align the front propeller pair and rear propeller pair with one another.

The front propellers’ inward facing blades should be sloping downward toward the front of the drone.

The rear propellers’ inward facing blades should be sloping towards the rear.

Note: Misoriented propellers will cause the drone to behave erratically.

Step 4: Hull Installation

Each hull has a clip located at the end with [2] holes. Attach one hull to each arm of the central body making sure the holes ‘click’ into the central body’s corresponding connection.

Step 1: Battery Installation

Locate the battery port at the rear of the drone and place the battery inside the port as shown.

Step 2: Battery Charging Cable

Connect the charger to the micro USB port just below the battery.

Step 3: Battery Charging

Connect the USB end to a wall charger or computer and charge the battery until the front lights turn green. 

Note: Battery is charging when the red light is illuminated.

In order to successfully connect the drone to the Parrot FreeFlight Mini app, the most recent firmware update needs to be installed.

The firmware file can be found at:

https://bit.ly/parrotmambofirmware

Please use a computer (PC, Mac, or Chromebook) for this process.

Congratulations!

The Parrot Mambo Drone is now...FULLY ASSEMBLED!

TERMS AND DEFINITIONS