# MagMavic: magnetic payload attachment for DJI Mavic 3

**URL:** <https://forum.zubax.com/t/magmavic-magnetic-payload-attachment-for-dji-mavic-3/2580>\
**Category:** Blog\
**Tags:** fluxgrip\
**Created:** [July 21, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://forum.zubax.com/t/magmavic-magnetic-payload-attachment-for-dji-mavic-3/2580 "2025-07-21T18:08:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![maksim.drachov](https://forum.zubax.com/user_avatar/forum.zubax.com/maksim.drachov/32/2624_2.png) [@maksim.drachov](https://forum.zubax.com/u/maksim.drachov)\
**Post date:** [July 21, 2025, 6:08pm UTC](https://forum.zubax.com/t/magmavic-magnetic-payload-attachment-for-dji-mavic-3/2580/1 "2025-07-21T18:08:57Z")

</div>

![image](https://forum.zubax.com/uploads/default/original/2X/1/12a8bf1db476345337da9eafecdaa9666fb3f9e1.jpeg)

DJI Mavic 3 is an extremely capable drone system, however it doesn’t offer any built-in way to attach payloads like extra cameras or sensors (or plastic torpedoes, which suspiciously look a lot like real explosives). In this blog I will walk you through the process of creating a magnetic attachment module using just a 3D printer, one FluxGrip (an electro-permanent magnet) and an Arduino.

Note: there are other [similar](https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Drone-light-induction-remote-control-distance_1601173826485.html?spm=a2700.7724857.0.0.753c28ffJjkedy) solutions on the market, but this is the first one (to my knowledge at least) that relies on _magnetic_ payload attachment. Our solution can potentially have a couple of benefits:

- A more generelizable payload mechanism: all kinds of shapes can be attached (including [plastic bottles](https://fluxgrip.zubax.com/chapters/tutorials/nonferromagnetic.html#bottle-teslaclaw-demo))
- No moving parts: most (all?) of the payload mechanisms I have found seem to rely on a servo moving a rod, resulting in the release of the payload. In our case, the magnet is demagnetized and the payload becomes detached – there are no moving parts, which means increased durability.
- Magnets are just cooler.
- You can build this one yourself, which also means that you can _modify_ it yourself, in order to suit your particular application. All the software and models can be found on [Github](https://github.com/Zubax/magmavic_software) and [Printables](https://www.printables.com/model/1361578-magmavic-a-magnetic-payload-attachment-system-for/files) respectively.

 ![image](https://forum.zubax.com/uploads/default/original/2X/f/f8cfea751b0a814cf66fee6e1468cbc65dd8db34.jpeg)

## Electronics and Software

The first step is connecting all the electronics together and making sure everything works as expected. Start by connecting everything like this:

 ![circuit](https://forum.zubax.com/uploads/default/original/2X/a/af06e2d2acb878c6f46e4f2705168b95c7bd7fb3.png)

For the Light-Dependent Resistor (LDR, the component in the top-left corner), I’ve used the [PDV-P9008](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/advanced-photonix/PDV-P9008/480625). The batteries are the regular 9V kind you can get from any store. Also don’t forget [these](https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/keystone-electronics/84-6/304014) cables that are used for connecting to the battery terminals.

Connect the Arduino Nano to your desktop (running GNU/Linux) to flash the device as follows:

```bash
git clone https://github.com/Zubax/magmavic_software.git
cd ~/magmavic_software
make all # Builds the firmware
make dude # Flashes Arduino Nano

```

Note: we’re relying on AVR-GCC toolchain, so you’ll need to install it if you don’t have it:

```bash
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install gcc-avr binutils-avr avr-libc gdb-avr avrdude

```

Once you have flashed the Arduino you should see the magnet turn on/off (depending on the amound of light that’s falling on the LDR)

### Possible improvements

- Rely on Mavic’s battery instead of attaching 9V batteries, this would mean a significant reduction in weight. (I didn’t do it in this case, cause I wasn’t allowed to modify the Mavic 3 drone that we borrowed.)

## Mechanical design and 3D Printing

Next up is printing the attachment piece itself, I have done the heavy lifting for you, if you want you can edit the holder yourself using FreeCAD:

[Mavic\_Adaptor\_Single\_FluxGrip.FCStd](https://forum.zubax.com/uploads/short-url/zEdTIzyqzmW9fCF5KTYmx0g11mD.FCStd) (23.5 MB)

If you just want the STL files to print out the pieces, those can be found on [Printables](https://www.printables.com/model/1361578-magmavic-a-magnetic-payload-attachment-system-for). The attachment module itself consists of 2 parts: ‘top’ and ‘bottom’, and there’s a ‘bracket’ which is needed for securing the 2 batteries (1 on each side).

 ![Screenshot from 2025-07-21 20-49-37](https://forum.zubax.com/uploads/default/original/2X/4/464a7b336f5cfe57ed163cc75372a83108650c7b.jpeg)

You will need the following screws for assembly:

- Securing the Arduino Nano
  - 4x M1.5, length 2mm

- Securing the batteries
  - 4x M2.5, length 4mm

- Securing the magnet
  - 4x M3, length 20mm

- Securing the ‘top’ to the ‘bottom’ piece
  - 4x M2.5, length 15mm
  - 4x M2.5 nuts

### Possible improvements

- A dual-magnet system, however it might be better to do this when FG10 is ready, since the FG40 is a bit overpowered for the current application.
- Add more waterproofing to protect the electronics from shorting in rainy conditions
- Improve design of battery holders
- Improve cable management

Once you’ve assembled everything it should look something like this:

 ![image](https://forum.zubax.com/uploads/default/original/2X/9/94012a7c710300322fb35645937746f05908da2a.jpeg)

(I’m using a 3D printed model of the Mavic 3, but you get the picture)