Sooner or later every drone pilot runs into the same problem: original spare parts are expensive, take ages to arrive or simply don\u2019t exist for your particular task. 3D printing solves this quickly and efficiently. Instead of weeks waiting for a parcel from China, you get the part you need in a few hours \u2014 made exactly for your drone, from the right material and in the quantity you need.<\/p>\n
In this article we look at which drone parts are most often printed on a 3D printer, which materials suit them and what to pay attention to when designing them.<\/p>\n
This is probably the most popular 3D-printed part among drone pilots. Guards protect the propellers from hitting obstacles \u2014 walls, trees, furniture. They\u2019re especially relevant for flying indoors or in tight spaces. They\u2019re mostly printed in TPU \u2014 a flexible material that absorbs the energy of an impact without breaking or damaging the drone\u2019s frame.<\/p>\n
GoPro, DJI Action, Insta360 and other action cameras often need specific mounts to be fitted to a drone. Standard mounts don\u2019t always suit the tilt angle, weight or fixing method. 3D printing lets you create a mount for a specific camera and a specific frame, accurate to a millimetre. PETG is usually used for these parts \u2014 it\u2019s strong enough, withstands vibration and doesn\u2019t deform with moderate heat.<\/p>\n
Landing legs increase the drone\u2019s ground clearance and protect the camera and gimbal when landing on uneven ground. This is especially important for drones with gimbal cameras or extra equipment underneath. TPU legs spring on landing and cushion impacts, while PETG versions provide rigid, stable support.<\/p>\n
A GPS antenna should be placed as high as possible and away from sources of interference. 3D-printed masts and mounts raise the antenna above the frame for better signal reception. These parts must be light and rigid, so PETG is the best choice here.<\/p>\n
Body covers protect the electronics from dust, moisture and mechanical damage. A custom cover can also include ventilation openings for cooling or mounting points for extra equipment. PLA will do for prototyping and testing, but for the final version PETG is the better choice \u2014 it\u2019s more resistant to UV and temperature changes.<\/p>\n
A non-standard battery or wanting to change its position for better balance is a typical situation. 3D-printed holders with Velcro or latch fixings solve this. The part must be strong but also slightly flexible so the battery is easy to fit, so a combination of PETG for the base and TPU for the retaining parts works best.<\/p>\n
LED strips and modules are used to keep track of a drone\u2019s orientation at dusk, for night flights or simply for a visual effect. 3D printing lets you create neat mounts that hold the LEDs at the right angle without adding extra weight. Light mounts in PLA or PETG handle this job perfectly well.<\/p>\n
Besides parts for the drone itself, a 3D printer also comes in handy for organising your workspace. Case inserts for specific propellers, holders for controllers, ventilated battery stands \u2014 all of these print easily in PLA and make storage and transport more convenient.<\/p>\n
The choice of material is the key decision that determines whether a part will work as it should. Here\u2019s a brief guide:<\/p>\n
Read more about the properties of each material and how they compare in our article PLA vs PETG vs TPU<\/a>. And the full list of available printing materials is on the materials<\/a> page.<\/p>\n 3D printing for drones has its own specifics. Here are a few practical recommendations to help you get a good result:<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t design yourself, ready-made models can be found on popular platforms: Thingiverse, Printables, Cults3D. Just enter your drone\u2019s name and the type of part \u2014 chances are someone has already designed the model you need. Many FPV communities also share files openly.<\/p>\n If you need a unique part for your specific requirements and there\u2019s no ready-made model, we\u2019ll tell you where to find one (on Printables, Thingiverse or MakerWorld) or who can make it.<\/p>\n Whether you need a simple propeller guard or a complex multi-part camera mount, we\u2019ll print the part in the right material, in the correct orientation and with optimal settings. Send us a 3D model or describe the task \u2014 we\u2019ll find the best solution.<\/p>\nTips for designing drone parts<\/h2>\n
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Where to get 3D models of drone parts<\/h2>\n
Ready to order printed parts for your drone?<\/h2>\n