Designing Printed Motor Mounts for RC Planes: A Step-by-Step Guide

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Introduction

Building or upgrading your RC plane often means fitting a motor mount that’s just right. A printed motor mount can be a perfect solution — custom, lightweight, and tailored to your specific motor and airframe. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about designing printed motor mounts, with tips especially useful for hobbyists and makers in the UK.

Why Print Your Own Motor Mount?

Traditional motor mounts can be bulky or hard to find in the exact size you need. 3D printing allows you to:

  • Create a mount that perfectly fits your motor and plane.
  • Use lightweight materials like PLA or PETG to keep your plane agile.
  • Iterate quickly — print, test, and improve.
  • Save money compared to buying commercial mounts.

Key Considerations When Designing

1. Motor Compatibility

Start by measuring your motor’s mounting holes and shaft diameter. The mount must securely hold the motor without wobbling. Use calipers for precise measurements, and always double-check your specs.

2. Material Choice

PLA is easy to print and rigid but can soften in hot conditions, which might happen on sunny UK days or under continuous motor use. PETG and ABS offer better heat resistance and impact strength. For the best results, consider PETG if your printer supports it.

3. Design for Strength

Motor mounts endure vibrations and torque. Make sure your design includes:

  • Thick enough walls (around 3-4 mm is a good starting point)
  • Reinforcements around mounting holes
  • Fillets or chamfers to reduce stress concentration
  • Proper layer orientation during printing to maximize strength

4. Cooling and Ventilation

Electric motors generate heat. A good mount design allows air to flow around the motor, helping prevent overheating.

Design Tools and Tips

You don’t need expensive software. Free tools like Fusion 360 (free for hobbyists), Tinkercad, or FreeCAD work well for motor mount design.

  • Start simple: Begin with a basic shape matching your motor size.
  • Use reference designs: Look at existing mounts online for inspiration.
  • Test fit: Print a small test piece to check hole alignment before printing the entire mount.

Printing and Finishing

Print your mount with a layer height of 0.2mm for a good balance of speed and detail. Use at least 3 perimeters and 20-30% infill to keep it strong but not heavy. After printing, remove any supports carefully and consider light sanding around mounting holes for a better fit.

Final Tips

  • Always double-check your motor and plane measurements before final printing.
  • Keep spare mounts handy—sometimes a tweak is needed after test flights.
  • Join UK RC and maker forums to share designs and get feedback.

With these steps, you’ll be well on your way to designing and printing custom motor mounts that enhance your RC flying experience. Happy flying!

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