With Attention to Detail

When using a 3D printer for model building, it’s important to Werner Hotz to design all the parts himself and customize them to fit his models. For example, the interior of a rescue helicopter might not match the original exactly. The goal is to be able to conceal the flight batteries effectively later on. He calls this “Functional Scale.”

All scale parts are painted (with a spray can) or hand-painted after printing. Cockpit instruments are usually printed on paper and then glued into the corresponding panels.

However, with the right choice of materials, it’s also possible to easily produce functional, mechanically robust add-on parts, such as a fully functional rescue winch or a propeller spinner made entirely on a 3D printer.

For more information, see: “Arn-Air” model helicopters.