{"id":165065,"date":"2022-06-30T16:15:33","date_gmt":"2022-06-30T08:15:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/?post_type=kb&p=165065"},"modified":"2022-08-11T14:58:44","modified_gmt":"2022-08-11T06:58:44","slug":"3d-printing-drones-how-to-get-started","status":"publish","type":"kb","link":"https:\/\/facfox.com\/docs\/kb\/3d-printing-drones-how-to-get-started","title":{"rendered":"3D Printing Drones: How to Get Started"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you want to build a 3D printed drone from scratch or add parts to a quadcopter, read on to learn all about making your prints fly!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Commonly known as\u00a0drones<\/a>, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are vehicles that are capable of autonomous operation. As such, a drone is not limited to being an aircraft; it could be a car, boat, or even a hovercraft. However, the term has come to define an aircraft with three or more propellers that provide lift and thrust. These are also commonly referred to as multirotors or quadcopters.<\/p>\n

In general, UAVs are mechanically very simple, consisting of a frame, a flight controller, motors, propellers, speed controllers, and possibly first-person view (FPV) equipment.<\/p>\n

3D printing is no stranger to\u00a0flight<\/a>. For recreational drones, 3D printing can be a great way to make a variety of parts. These can be anything from protective bumpers and camera mounts to add-ons that add functionality.<\/p>\n

In this article, we\u2019ll be going over what to keep in mind when 3D printing drone parts, including the types of parts to print and where to find models and resources. We\u2019ll close with a few projects to get you started. But first, why would you want to 3D print parts in the first place? Read on to find out!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Drone Accessories: 10 Great Parts to Buy or DIY<\/a><\/div>\n
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Benefits<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Move over GoPros! Here’s a custom mount to attach a smart phone (Source: Digit Design and Prints via Facebook)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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The main advantage of 3D printing parts is that they can be totally custom. In addition, they\u2019re generally inexpensive (assuming you already have a\u00a0printer<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0filament<\/a>), and designs can be quickly iterated from the initial to the final version.<\/p>\n

Printed parts can be in your choice of color and material. This way, you\u2019ll be using the material with the best mechanical properties for the part. For example, you could have a blue\u00a0TPU<\/a>\u00a0GoPro mount and\u00a0nylon<\/a>\u00a0propeller guards. (Propeller guards protect the propellers from impact and increase the efficiency by increasing the effective\u00a0aspect ratio<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

The mount would be best\u00a0printed in TPU<\/a>, as it would absorb vibration from the frame and hold the GoPro tightly in place, while the tough nylon can absorb impacts and protect both the propeller and the impacted object. Other\u00a0strong materials<\/a>, such as reinforced nylon, could even be used to create airframes, canopies, and camera gimbals.<\/p>\n

Another plus when using 3D printed parts is their relatively low density. With 3D printing, settings like the number of\u00a0perimeters<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0infill percentage<\/a>\u00a0can be adjusted to decrease weight significantly, the former having more of an overall impact.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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See the progression of a pod design for a small quadcopter (Source: Rob Davey via All3DP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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As well as being totally custom and lightweight, parts can be quickly iterated. For example, when designing a canopy, a first version can be printed (likely in an inexpensive material such as PLA), then any required changes can be easily implemented in the next iteration. Once the model is deemed finished, it can be printed in a more expensive material such as carbon-fiber nylon or even, if funding isn\u2019t an issue, carbon-fiber\u00a0PEEK<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If a part breaks, assuming you already have the filament and a printer, part creation can be started without any delay. Even though many retailers offer fast delivery, it\u2019s likely not faster than (or as satisfying as) printing the part yourself.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Considerations<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Do you need all those parts? (Source: Rob Davey via All3DP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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While 3D printing opens up a whole new world of possibilities in terms of additional functionality, the most important thing to bear in mind is the weight of your aircraft. Not everything that can be printed and installed should be! Every gram on the aircraft has an impact on flight time and performance, especially on rotary-wing aircraft. As such, on a craft intended for long flight times, a GoPro mount, head tracker, and drop mechanism aren\u2019t all necessary.<\/p>\n

In the US,\u00a0regulations require registration<\/a>\u00a0for crafts over 250 grams. As such, the demand for quadcopters below this weight limit has increased significantly.<\/p>\n

Additionally, companies such as\u00a0DJI<\/a>\u00a0that sell UAVs and similar aircraft typically supply all the needed mounts and accessories. More 3D printed parts aren\u2019t required as they would simply add weight.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Best Materials<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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Arm protectors, a GoPro mount, and an antenna mount all printed in TPU (Source: Digit Design and Prints via Facebook)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The main material you\u2019ll see, certainly on mini-quadcopters, is TPU. This is because it\u2019s highly flexible and can deform on impact, absorbing energy and protecting the components they\u2019re attached to. Because it\u2019s flexible, it can also absorb vibration, reducing the amount seen in recorded footage. Thankfully, this has become less of an issue with the release of in-camera stabilization.<\/p>\n

Another suitable material is\u00a0nylon<\/a>. It\u2019s tougher than TPU but still has some flexibility.<\/p>\n

Suitability<\/h3>\n

The main parts that are printed in TPU are bumpers, camera mounts, antenna mounts, and propeller guards. Nylon may also be used for propeller guards, but it\u2019s less common because it\u2019s more difficult to print.<\/p>\n

While TPU and nylon have their uses, they\u2019re not suitable for all parts. For applications requiring stiffness and strength, such as custom airframes, a material like\u00a0carbon-fiber-reinforced nylon<\/a>\u00a0is recommended. This combines the toughness of standard nylon with the stiffness of the carbon fiber. It\u2019s also easier to print than nylon, as it\u00a0warps less<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0sticks to the build plate better<\/a>.<\/p>\n

One way of protecting the bottom of the craft\u2019s frame and the motor bolts is to add 3D printed \u201cfeet\u201d. These are especially useful if flying over surfaces such as concrete. Again, carbon-fiber-reinforced nylon is recommended for this. You could still print the feet in TPU, but the abrasion resistance won\u2019t be as good.<\/p>\n

Types of Parts<\/h3>\n
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A 5-in racing quadcopter with “turtle” mode fins (Source: Rob Davey via All3DP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Fins<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If racing quadcopters are your thing, you\u2019ll want to try the commonly used top-mounted fins. These are to help with a mode known as \u201cturtle\u201d. When landing an aircraft upside down, two of the motors can be reversed to flip the aircraft over, enabling you to take off again (and complete the race). These are most often printed in TPU and occasionally nylon.<\/p>\n

Antenna Mounts<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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An FPV transmitter antenna printed in TPU (Source: rapnit via Thingiverse)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If you\u2019re flying with FPV, the video transmitter antennas are of vital importance. As such, there are many mounting options for these components.<\/p>\n

If the craft is intended for long-range flying, encasing the active part of the antenna in TPU isn\u2019t a good idea because there will be a detrimental effect on the video signal. Remember, legally you must stay within the visual line of sight. For these, TPU is the preferred choice because it\u2019s highly elastic and can deform without lasting damage.<\/p>\n

FPV head tracking can also be enabled, where the FPV camera is mounted on a rig, enabling it to move in two or three dimensions according to your goggles. This way, the camera moves in parallel with your head, furthering the immersion. For this, you should use a non-flexible material like\u00a0PETG<\/a>,\u00a0ABS<\/a>,\u00a0ASA<\/a>, or even\u00a0PC<\/a>. The stiffness is required to eliminate play in the components.<\/p>\n

Functional<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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This gimbal (for camera stabilization) was printed in PLA (Source: turbi via Thingiverse)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

If flying FPV or racing isn\u2019t for you, you can always print parts for increased functionality. Perhaps a camera gimbal for aerial photography or videography, or a mechanism to carry and drop items?<\/p>\n

For a gimbal, the moving parts should be printed in a non-flexible material to eliminate play. When mounting the gimbal onto the aircraft, there should be a flexible part to isolate it from vibration.<\/p>\n

Protection<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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These protectors were designed in Fusion 360 (Source: Motorpixiegimbals via Thingiverse)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Finally, parts to protect items, such as the control sticks on the radio transmitter, are another good option for printing. These can be in either a flexible or nonflexible material, depending on your requirements.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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Sources for Models<\/h3>\n
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Grab it all on GrabCAD (Source: GrabCAD)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Thingiverse<\/a>\u00a0is a great free resource to find mounts for commonly available cameras (GoPro<\/a>,\u00a0Insta 360<\/a>, etc.) and frames (TBS Source One<\/a>,\u00a0ImpulseRC<\/a>,\u00a0Iflight<\/a>, among others).<\/p>\n

GrabCAD<\/a>\u00a0is another free resource that tends to have engineering-focused models available. You can use the search bar to find drone models, and if you\u2019re specifically looking quadcopter-related models, searching \u201cquadcopter<\/a>\u201d returns quite a few results. Note that you\u2019ll need an account to download models (not so with Thingiverse).<\/p>\n

If you download models from any\u00a0repositories<\/a>\u00a0(including the websites above), be sure to check the license it\u2019s under. It may be the case that you can freely sell the model, or you may be required to credit the original designer.<\/p>\n

If you have a specific frame and camera, often the manufacturer will have designs available to download and print. These are useful because the probability of the part fitting your frame can be higher than from a third-party website.<\/p>\n

If you can\u2019t find what you\u2019re after anywhere, you can design your own parts in\u00a0CAD software<\/a>\u00a0or commission someone to design them for you.<\/p>\n

Resources<\/h3>\n
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This site has an active user base and lots of helpful discussions (Source: DIYDrones)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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While many individual components can be downloaded from the sites listed above, additional resources such as forums also exist.<\/p>\n

The main forums for drone makers are\u00a0DIYDrones<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0RCGroups<\/a>. A full list of printed airframes on RCgroups can be found in one helpful\u00a0thread<\/a>, and similar lists can be found on\u00a0DIYDrones<\/a>. Additionally, there\u2019s a\u00a0subreddit for drones<\/a>\u00a0that includes discussions about 3D printing, as well as a\u00a0subreddit for DIY drones<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Projects to Get You Started<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
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This “canopy” model has a designated GoPro sleeve (Source: basdelfos via Thingiverse)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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The only real limitation to what you can print is your imagination! You\u2019ll need to consider the intended purpose of both the craft and the part as well as the impact of any additional weight.<\/p>\n

Check out the following for ideas from Thingiverse on what can be printed, whether whole frames or just single parts:<\/p>\n