3D printing opens so many doors when it comes to the RC hobby. There are things you can now make that would have been impossible with other tools. Here are some great prints for you to try today!
Getting started with 3D Printing
Before jumping into some of the useful RC related objects you can make with a 3D printer, if you haven't yet dived into the world of 3D, here's a handy guide to taking your first steps. It's not really that much of a leap. Today, the technology has reached a comfortable level where someone can get started without the high startup cost or specialist knowledge that you would have needed a couple of years back.
You should also know that there are different materials you can print with. Filament reels come in all sorts of compounds. Some like PLA are rigid and can be used to make things like firewalls and powerpods. Some take a lot longer to print like TPU but can result in a springier, more rubbery model. This is great if you're making something that needs to reduce vibrations.
Camera Mounts
Custom fixings for securing your cameras to an RC airplane or quad can be made with a 3D printer no problem! There are loads of predesigned models on sites like Thingiverse ready to be downloaded and printed. You can also design your own with software like TinkerCad.
We designed a special Runcam Split mount to work with some of our airplane kits such as the FT Dart. This is a great way to seamlessly integrate FPV into these models.
Landing Gear, Power Pods and Control Horns
Traditionally, if you were to try and make some of these objects for your RC planes by hand, you'd potentially have to do a lot of precise machining and drilling. With a 3D printer, it's really quite straightforward to get the right angles every time. You'll want to print these objects with more solid filaments like PLA.
Realistic Details
3D Printers can also be used to create lots of intricate detail to spice up your scratch builds. Here are some exhaust stacks designed by Dan Sponholz for the FT Mig 3.
They really add a lot of character to the finished airplane. With some paint and a little weathering, these exhausts can look very convincing.
Equally, you can add detail to the inside of your plane. Here's an instrument panel that only took around 20 minutes to print from PLA. It was then cleaned up, painted and glued in place.
Gimbal Covers
Aside from printing objects for your RC planes or Quads themselves, you can also make some highly practical accessories for your RC gear. These gimbal protective covers keep your transmitter safe during transport. You could end up using these every time you go out to the field.
Build Tools
There are also tools and helpful building accessories that can help you save a great deal of time and effort when it comes to making your models. Many people struggle with cutting foam board bevels for control surfaces. Usually this is done by just holding a craft knife blade at an angle.
To help with that, you can now use a 3D printed bevel cutter! This simply slots over the foam at a 45-degree angle to cut a perfect bevel every time.
If you want to download out any of the models featured in this article, check out the links below!
Links
Download the objects in this article
Our Favorite Printers - Lulzbot
Getting Started with 3D Printing
Article by James Whomsley
Editor of FliteTest.com
www.youtube.com/projectairaviation
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