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

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Introduction

Building or upgrading your RC plane often involves custom parts, and one of the most useful components to 3D print is the motor mount. A well-designed motor mount keeps your motor secure, aligns the propeller correctly, and helps absorb vibrations. This guide will walk you through the basics of designing printed motor mounts, perfect for hobby RC pilots, makers, and DIY enthusiasts in the UK.

Why Print Your Own Motor Mount?

While you can buy off-the-shelf motor mounts, 3D printing your own offers several benefits:

  • Customization: Tailor the mount to fit your exact motor and airframe dimensions.
  • Weight Savings: Print with lightweight infill patterns and materials to keep your plane agile.
  • Cost Efficiency: Save money by printing mounts instead of buying expensive aluminium or carbon fibre parts.
  • Rapid Prototyping: Quickly iterate designs to get the perfect fit and strength.

Key Design Considerations

1. Motor Compatibility

Start by checking the motor’s specifications, especially the bolt pattern and shaft size. Most brushless motors have standard mounting hole layouts (e.g., 16x19mm or 19x19mm). Measure carefully to ensure the holes on your mount line up perfectly.

2. Material Choice

PLA is easy to print but can be brittle and sensitive to heat. For motor mounts, consider tougher materials like PETG or ABS, which handle vibration and heat better.

3. Strength and Reinforcement

Use thicker walls (3-4mm) around mounting holes and add ribs or gussets to reinforce stress points. Increasing infill density to 50-70% can enhance durability without adding too much weight.

4. Alignment and Vibration Dampening

Ensure the mount holds the motor at the correct angle to keep your propeller aligned with the airflow. You can also design slots or spaces to insert rubber dampers or washers to reduce vibration transmission.

Step-by-Step Design Workflow

  1. Measure Your Motor and Airframe: Note motor bolt pattern, shaft diameter, and where the mount will attach to the plane.
  2. Create a Base Plate: Design a flat plate with mounting holes matching your motor and holes or slots to attach to the plane.
  3. Add Structural Features: Incorporate side supports, ribs, or braces to increase rigidity.
  4. Check Clearances: Make sure there is enough space for the propeller, ESC wires, and cooling airflow.
  5. Export and Slice: Save your design as an STL file and prepare it for printing with appropriate settings.
  6. Print and Test Fit: Print your mount on a 3D printer, then test fit it on the motor and plane to check alignment and fit.
  7. Refine if Needed: Adjust your design based on fit and performance feedback.

Tips for Printing and Installation

  • Use a brim or raft to improve bed adhesion during printing.
  • Print at a layer height of 0.2mm for a good balance of detail and speed.
  • Consider using nylon filament for even better durability if your printer supports it.
  • Securely fasten the motor with appropriate screws and threadlocker to prevent loosening during flight.
  • Periodically check the mount after flights to ensure it remains tight and undamaged.

Conclusion

Designing and printing your own motor mounts lets you tailor your RC plane for optimal performance and reliability. By paying attention to motor specs, material choice, and structural strength, you can create mounts that are lightweight, strong, and perfectly suited to your build. Happy flying and printing!

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