# FPV Drone 3D Printed Parts Guide: TPU Mounts, Camera Cages, and Essential Accessories
A 3D printer might be the best FPV accessory you can buy that isn’t actually a drone component. With a roll of TPU filament and some basic design knowledge, you can print custom antenna mounts, camera cages, arm guards, and dozens of other parts that improve your quad’s durability, aesthetics, and functionality. This guide covers which parts are worth printing, what materials to use, and where to find ready-to-print designs.
## Why 3D Print FPV Parts?
| Advantage | Real-World Benefit |
|———–|——————-|
| Cost savings | Print a \$0.15 antenna mount instead of buying a \$5 injection-molded one |
| Customization | Design mounts that fit your exact camera angle, antenna position, and frame |
| Rapid iteration | Redesign and reprint a part in under 2 hours |
| Crash protection | Flexible TPU parts absorb impact energy that would otherwise break carbon |
| Field repairability | Carry spare printed parts — replace a broken mount in minutes |
## The Only Filament You Need: TPU
For FPV drone parts, there is exactly one correct material choice: **TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)** at 95A shore hardness.
### TPU Properties for FPV
| Property | TPU 95A | PLA | PETG | ABS |
|———-|———|—–|——|—–|
| Flexibility | Excellent (bends without breaking) | None (shatters) | Low | Low |
| Impact resistance | Outstanding | Poor | Fair | Fair |
| Layer adhesion | Excellent | Good | Good | Fair |
| UV resistance | Good | Fair | Good | Poor |
| Printability | Moderate (requires direct drive) | Easy | Easy | Difficult |
| Weight | 1.2 g/cm³ | 1.24 g/cm³ | 1.27 g/cm³ | 1.04 g/cm³ |
**Do not use PLA for drone parts.** PLA shatters on impact. A PLA camera mount will break on the first crash. A PLA antenna mount will snap at the layer lines. PLA is for decorative prints — not functional FPV parts.
### Recommended TPU Brands
| Brand | Shore Hardness | Print Temp | Notes |
|——-|—————|————|——-|
| Sainsmart TPU | 95A | 210-230°C | Most popular for FPV, consistent quality |
| Overture TPU | 95A | 210-230°C | Good value, slightly stiffer than Sainsmart |
| NinjaTek NinjaFlex | 85A | 210-225°C | Very flexible, harder to print |
| Polymaker PolyFlex TPU95 | 95A | 210-230°C | Premium quality, excellent layer adhesion |
### TPU Print Settings for FPV Parts
| Setting | Recommended Value | Notes |
|———|——————-|——-|
| Nozzle temperature | 220-230°C | Higher for better layer adhesion |
| Bed temperature | 40-50°C | PEI sheet works best |
| Print speed | 20-30mm/s | Slow is essential for TPU |
| Retraction | Off or 0.5mm @ 15mm/s | TPU doesn’t retract well |
| Layer height | 0.2mm | Good balance of detail and speed |
| Wall count | 3-4 perimeters | More walls = stronger parts |
| Infill | 30-50% gyroid | Gyroid pattern works well with flexible filament |
| Cooling fan | 30-50% | Too much cooling hurts layer adhesion |
| Direct drive extruder | Required | Bowden setups struggle with flexible filament |
## Essential Parts to Print
### Top Priority Prints (Print These First)
#### 1. Antenna Mount (SMA/RP-SMA)
Holds your VTX antenna at the correct angle (typically 45° or vertical) and protects the SMA connector from direct impact. Most popular design: the “FPV Antenna Mount” by Brain3D on Thingiverse. Print at 3-4 perimeters with 50% infill for rigidity where it matters.
#### 2. GoPro / Action Camera Mount
A flexible TPU GoPro mount provides three critical functions: (1) holds the camera at the exact angle you want, (2) absorbs vibration that causes jello in GoPro footage, and (3) acts as a sacrificial part that breaks before your expensive GoPro does in a crash. The classic “Brain3D GoPro Mount” or “TBS Source One Session Mount” are excellent starting points.
#### 3. Arm Guards / Skid Plates
TPU pieces that clip onto the ends of your carbon fiber arms, protecting the motor wires and providing a landing skid. They also prevent the sharp carbon edge from cutting the battery strap in a crash. Print at 4 perimeters, 50% infill.
#### 4. Receiver Antenna Tubes / Mounts
Small TPU tubes or clips that hold your ExpressLRS or Crossfire receiver antennas at the optimal 90-degree angle. These prevent antenna wires from getting chopped by props and ensure consistent signal reception.
#### 5. Buzzer / Beeper Mount
If your buzzer doesn’t have a dedicated mounting point on your frame, a small custom TPU bracket solves the problem. Keep the buzzer accessible — you’ll need to hear it.
### Secondary Prints
| Part | Function | Print Notes |
|——|———-|————|
| Camera cage / side plates | Protects camera, sets camera angle | 3 perimeters, 30% infill |
| VTX mount | Secures VTX to frame | 3 perimeters, 30% infill |
| GPS mount | Holds GPS module on rear standoff | 4 perimeters for rigidity |
| Capacitor holder | Secures the main capacitor | Flexible, snap-fit design |
| Stack spacers / soft mounts | Isolates FC from vibration | Print at 95A for some flex |
| Prop nut wrench holder | On-quad tool storage | Print at 100% infill |
| Landing gear / skids | Protects bottom-mounted battery | 4 perimeters, 50% infill |
## Where to Find FPV 3D Print Designs
| Source | URL | What’s Available |
|——–|—–|—————–|
| Thingiverse | thingiverse.com | Largest collection of free FPV parts |
| Printables | printables.com | Growing FPV section, better search |
| Cults3D | cults3d.com | Some premium FPV designs |
| Brain3D | brain3d.com | Original designs (some paid) |
| DIY Design | Create your own in Fusion 360 or Tinkercad | Fully custom for your specific build |
Popular search terms: “FPV TPU mount,” “FPV antenna holder,” “FPV GoPro mount,” “FPV arm guard,” plus your specific frame name (e.g., “TBS Source One mount”).
## Design Your Own Parts (Fusion 360 Basics)
For custom parts, Fusion 360’s free personal license is the standard choice:
1. **Measure your frame** with calipers. Critical dimensions: arm width, standoff diameter, screw spacing.
2. **Model the part** with generous fillets (rounded corners) — sharp internal corners concentrate stress and cause cracking.
3. **Add 0.2-0.3mm clearance** to holes and slots for a snug press-fit with TPU’s slight flexibility.
4. **Test print** at low infill (15%) to verify fit before printing the final part at full strength.
5. **Iterate** — expect 2-3 revisions before a perfect fit.
For pilots who want a frame that’s ready for custom TPU accessories right out of the box, the [UAV Model Frame Kits](https://uavmodel.com) include multiple M3 and M2 mounting points with standard 20mm and 30.5mm patterns that match the most popular Thingiverse and Printables designs.