Camera mounts and antenna holders are the most commonly 3D printed FPV parts — and for good reason. They are small, quick to print, and can dramatically improve your video quality and crash survivability. Here is how to design and print mounts that actually work.
Why Print Your Own Mounts?
Stock camera mounts that come with frames are often poorly designed — they crack easily, do not hold the camera angle firmly, or transmit vibrations directly to the sensor. A well-designed 3D printed mount solves all of these problems at a cost of pennies per print.
Designing a Vibration-Isolating Camera Mount
Vibration is the enemy of clean FPV video. Here are the design elements that separate a good mount from a great one:
1. Use TPU Exclusively
Do not use PLA or PETG for camera mounts. The flexibility of TPU (95A shore hardness is ideal) naturally absorbs high-frequency vibrations that cause jello in your video. A rigid mount will transmit every motor vibration straight to the camera sensor.
2. Soft-Mount the Camera
Design your mount so the camera does not sit directly against the frame. Include small TPU nubs or standoffs (2-3mm) between the camera and the mount body. This creates an air gap that further isolates vibrations. Some designs use silicone O-rings between the camera screws and the mount for additional damping.
3. Adjustable Tilt Mechanism
Design your mount with a tilt range of at least 20-45 degrees. Use a simple screw-clamp design: a single M2 or M3 screw that tightens against the camera side plate to lock the angle. The clamp should grip firmly — a slipping camera mid-flight is a recipe for a crash.
4. Camera Protection
Extend the mount slightly forward of the camera lens (2-3mm) to create a protective bumper. In a head-on crash, the TPU bumper absorbs the impact instead of the lens. For micro cameras like the Runcam Nano or Caddx Ant, this bumper design has saved countless lenses.
Antenna Holder Design Guide
VTX and receiver antennas are expensive and fragile. A good 3D printed holder prevents them from getting chopped by props or snapped in crashes.
VTX Antenna Mounts
- Pigtail-style: For quads using an MMCX-to-SMA pigtail, design a rigid TPU mount at the rear of the frame that holds the SMA connector securely.
- Direct-mount: For antennas that connect directly to the VTX, design a support channel that the antenna stem slides into.
- ZIP-tie reinforced: Add small holes in your mount design for zip ties around the antenna base.
A well-designed mount pays for itself in saved cameras and antennas. Spend an afternoon tuning your design, print a few spares, and fly with confidence.