3D Printed FPV Drone DIY: All You Should Know
Follow the beginners’ DIY guide for 3d-printed FPV drones in this article to build an FPV drone of your own.
TL;DR: Eager to get started on building your own FPV drone? Skip ahead to the 'How to DIY a 3D-Printed FPV Drone' section for step-by-step instructions.
Introduction
Building a 3D printed FPV drone has gained traction among hobbyists and drone enthusiasts due to its affordability, customizability, and the thrill of creating a personalized flying machine. With 3D printing technology, designing and assembling your own FPV (First-Person View) drone has never been easier.
Whether you're into drone racing or aerial videography, 3D printing offers a cost-effective way to create drones that fit your specific needs. In this guide, we’ll explore how to craft your own 3D printed FPV drone from scratch.
What is an FPV Drone?
Definition
An FPV (First-Person View) drone is a type of drone equipped with a camera that streams real-time video footage to the pilot, providing a first-person perspective from the drone’s viewpoint.
Unlike traditional drones, FPV drones are often used for drone racing, freestyle flying, and immersive videography, giving pilots a thrilling "in-the-cockpit" experience.
These drones are built for agility, speed, and precision, and can be customized to enhance performance and suit different flying styles, making them ideal for both competitive and recreational use.
Types of FPV Drones
FPV drones come in several types, each catering to different flying experiences and purposes:
Racing FPV Drones: Built for speed and agility, often used in drone racing competitions. These drones are lightweight and highly responsive.
GEPRC’s Racing FPV Drone
Source: geprc.com
Freestyle FPV Drones: Designed for acrobatic flying, they offer greater maneuverability and durability for stunts and tricks.
GEPRC’s Freestyle FPV Drone
Source: geprc.com
Cinematic FPV Drones: Focused on smooth, high-quality video capture, these drones are used for filming and content creation.
GEPRC’s Cinematic FPV Drone
Source: geprc.com
Tiny Whoop Drones: Tiny Wood is a brand of small, lightweight indoor FPV drones. Over time, it has been used to refer to this specific type of drone. Tiny Whoop Drones are small and agile, great for indoor flying and learning FPV skills.
Tiny Whoop Drone
Source: tinywhoop.com
Long-range FPV drones: Designed for extended flight distances, often spanning several kilometers while maintaining stable video and control signals. They are ideal for exploration and aerial mapping, prioritizing endurance and range over speed and agility.
GEPRC’s Long Range FPV Drone
Source: geprc.com
Major Components of FPV Drones
Major Components | Description |
|---|---|
Frame 
| The structure that holds all the parts together. |
Motors 
| Four (for quadcopters) motors that provide thrust for flight. |
ESCs (Electronic Speed Controllers) 
| Control the speed of each motor. |
Flight Controller 
| The brain of the drone, handling all flight dynamics. |
FPV Camera 
| Captures real-time video feed. |
VTX (Video Transmitter) 
| Transmits the live video feed to the goggles or screen. |
Batteries 
| Typically LiPo (Lithium Polymer) batteries, known for their high energy density and lightweight design. |
Benefits of 3D Printing in FPV Drones Manufacturing
Unlike traditional manufacturing methods of injection molding or CNC machining, 3D printing has revolutionized the manufacturing of FPV drones by offering flexibility, cost savings, and efficiency.
The following table compares 3D Printing with traditional manufacturing methods in terms of 6 aspects, highlighting the key benefits of 3D printing in FPV Drones manufacturing.
Aspect | 3D Printing | Traditional Manufacturing |
|---|---|---|
Customization | Highly customizable, allowing easy modifications | Limited customization; molds or tools need changes |
Cost | Cost-effective for low-volume production and prototyping | Expensive for small batches, cheaper for mass production |
Speed | Quick prototyping and part iteration | Slower for custom parts due to tooling requirements |
Material Waste | Minimal waste, only uses material needed | Higher waste due to cutting and shaping processes |
Complexity | Easily handles complex geometries | Complex parts require more effort and higher costs |
Repair | Damaged parts can be reprinted quickly and inexpensively | Requires ordering replacement parts or complex repairs |
Common Techniques and Materials for FPV Drone 3D Printing
In fpv drone parts manufacturing, 3 types of printing methods are widely chosen: FDM, SLA, and SLS, each offering unique advantages and being compatible with different materials. The following table presents the details.
Technique | Description | Materials | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
FDM | Affordable and easy to use, perfect for hobbyists and creating strong, lightweight frames. | PLA: Easy to print but brittle | ★★★★★ |
SLA | Produces high-resolution parts with intricate details, ideal for small, precise components, though the parts may be brittle. | Resin: Provides high detail and smooth finish, but parts made of some resins (i.e. standard resin) can be brittle | ★★★☆☆ (Moderately priced) |
SLS | Creates complex, strong parts without requiring supports, making it suitable for producing durable components with detailed geometry. | Nylon: High-strength, durable | ★★☆☆☆ |
Price for 3D Printed FPV Drones
The price for 3D printed FPV drones can vary depending on several factors, including the materials used, the complexity of the design, and the components needed for assembly.
Since FDM is the most affordable 3D printing technique due to its wide availability and simple mechanics, while PLA is one of the cheapest materials, costing around $20-$30 per kilogram, we will break down the detailed price of a DIY 3D-printed entry-level FPV drone using FDM and PLA.
Component | Price Range ($) |
|---|---|
*Frame (PLA) | $10 - $20 |
Motors (4x brushless) | $40 - $60 |
Electronic Speed Controllers (ESCs) | $20 - $30 |
Flight Controller | $30 - $40 |
FPV Camera | $20 - $30 |
Video Transmitter (VTX) | $10 - $20 |
Battery (LiPo) | $15 - $25 |
FPV Goggles (optional) | $50 - $100 |
Total Estimated Cost: $195 - $325 |
*Here only the drone frames are 3d printed without considering other parts such as propeller guards, camera mounts, and battery holder etc.
Though they would add to the overall cost, these parts typically require less material than the frame and would not significantly increase the cost in an FDM/PLA setup.
How to DIY a 3D-Printed FPV Drone？
When it comes to diy a 3d-printed fpv drone, two questions must be ironed out: what to print and how to print. In other words, as for the what, it means where to get the models; for the how, it refers to print the model via a self-owned desktop 3d printer or look for printing services. Let’s find them out in the following steps together.
Prepare Your Model
Get Free or Paid Drone Models
Free
We have gathered some popular free fpv drone models from popular 3d model websites. The followings are the details.
FPV Drone Model
Website and Author
File Format
Free or Paid
License
@ProgrammaDan
printables.com.stl
.stepFree
@SDC PERFORMANCE™
sketchfab.com.blend
.usdz
.gltf
.glbFree
@3dxl
cults3d.com.stl
Free
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
No AI
@BLEND98
www.cgtrader.com.blend
Free
Royalty Free No Ai License
@resh_engine
www.cadcrowd.com.igs
Free
Paid
Except for the websites mentioned above, there are some other websites where you can get paid FPV drone models.
Website
Price Range
FPV Drone Models Available
$9-$349
50+
$17-$99
10+
$5-$95
200+
Free for Subscribers
50+
DIY FPV Drone Kit
CAD Design and Slicer Softwares To design your own drone kit model, CAD design and slicer softwares are essential. You can refer to the article “Free 3D Printing Software: 21 Useful Tools in 5 Categories” by All3DP to get a clear picture of them.
Design Tips
Frame Shape: Focus on X-frame for agility or H-frame for more space. Ensure the arms have proper thickness for strength but are as lightweight as possible.
Motor/Propeller Clearance: Leave sufficient space between arms and motors for propeller clearance and cooling.
Component Mounting: Add mounting points for flight controllers, cameras, and batteries. Include vibration dampening in the design for sensitive parts.
Cable Management: Include cable channels or slots in the frame to organize wires neatly and safely.
Modular Design: Make parts easily replaceable, especially the arms, to simplify repairs.
Aero Design: Keep the frame streamlined to minimize drag, while ensuring it's durable for flight.
Print the Drone Kit
DIY Printing
To have a more immersive DIY experience, you can choose to print the frame with a self-owned desktop printer. We have made a comparison table of the most popular desktop FDM printers for your references.
Printer | Price | Build Volume (mm) | Estimated Print Time for Drone Frame (200 x 150 x 50 mm) | Applicable Materials | Advantages |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo | $199 | 220 x 220 x 250 | 12-15 hours | PLA, ABS, PETG | Affordable, ideal for beginners; solid entry-level machine |
Prusa i3 MK3S+ | $1049 (semi-assembled) | 250 x 210 x 210 | 8-10 hours | PLA, ABS, PETG, ASA, Nylon, Flex | Highly accurate with excellent print quality; automatic bed leveling and flexible material compatibility |
Bambu Lab X1C | $1,449 | 256 x 256 x 256 | 4-5 hours | PLA, ABS, PETG, PA, PC, Carbon/Glass-reinforced materials | Fastest printing speed, multi-color capabilities, advanced sensors (LIDAR, humidity) |
Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro | $359 | 225 x 225 x 265 | 4-5 hours | PLA, ABS, PETG, ASA, TPU, Nylon | Best value for fast printing and quiet operation at a budget-friendly price |
Anycubic Kobra 2 Max | $429.99 | 420 x 420 x 500 | 4-5 hours | PLA, ABS, PETG, TPU | Largest build volume for large prints, great for big projects |
In Summary:
Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo: The most budget-friendly, making it ideal for beginners or hobbyists. Prusa i3 MK3S+: Offers the best print quality and accuracy, with a wide range of compatible materials and advanced features like automatic bed leveling. Bambu Lab X1C: Stands out for its speed, multi-color printing, and advanced technology like LIDAR sensors and humidity control. Elegoo Neptune 4 Pro: Combines affordability with fast and quiet operation, making it one of the best choices for those on a budget seeking speed. Anycubic Kobra 2 Max: Excels with the largest build volume, perfect for large-scale projects, and still manages to keep costs reasonable.
Look for Printing Services
If you don’t have access to a 3D printer or want a professional-grade result, Unionfab is a great option.
As Asia’s leading 3D printing company, Unionfab operates over 1,000 industrial-grade 3D printers and specializes in rapid prototyping and on-demand production. We offer a one-stop service from design, rapid prototyping, to final production.
Unionfab stands out in four key areas:
Experience: With 100 3D printers and 20+ years' experience in 3D printing.
Certification: Meet strict ISO 9001 quality standards.
Fast Shipping: Air shipments in 3-5 days via DHL Express and FedEx.
Cost: Up to 70% cheaper than European and American competitors.
Choose Unionfab and contact us for high-quality, affordable, and fast 3D printing services to create your perfect FPV drone kit.
Assemble the Drone
Mount the Motors: Secure the brushless motors to the 3D-printed frame.
Install ESCs: Attach the ESCs to the frame and wire them to the motors.
Attach the Flight Controller: Mount it centrally on the frame, connecting it to the ESCs and receiver.
Wiring and Soldering: Use a soldering iron to connect wires, ensuring all components have power and communicate correctly.
Install the FPV Camera and VTX
Mount the FPV Camera: Attach it using a 3D-printed camera mount.
Connect the VTX: Wire the video transmitter to the FPV camera and install the antenna.
Check Camera Angle: Make sure the camera angle suits your flying style (typically tilted slightly upward for faster flight).
Add the Battery and Other Components
Battery Holder: Use a 3D-printed battery mount to secure the LiPo battery in place.
Propellers: Attach the propellers to the motors, ensuring they are in the correct orientation for thrust.
Configure and Tune the Flight Controller
Software Setup: Use software like Betaflight to configure the flight controller, calibrate the accelerometer, and set flight modes.
Tuning: Adjust PID settings for optimal flight performance, which will vary depending on your drone’s weight and motor setup.
Test the Drone
Bench Test: Power on the drone, checking for correct motor operation and video feed on your FPV goggles or monitor.
Test Flight: Start with a low-altitude hover to ensure stability, then gradually perform more complex maneuvers as you confirm everything works.
Conclusion
Building your own 3D-printed FPV drone can be an incredibly rewarding experience, allowing you to tailor every aspect of the drone to your needs, whether for racing, freestyle flying, or cinematic videography.
With the right tools, models, and materials, you can design and print a durable, lightweight, and high-performance drone frame using various 3D printing techniques.
Unionfab offers cost-effective, high-quality 3D printing, ensuring you get your drone parts quickly and affordably. Once assembled, your FPV drone is ready for action. Now, it’s time to take your creation to the sky!
