rc-cars
- - August 15, 2025
How STL Labs creates stunning 3D printed Scale Cars
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There’s nothing better than someone who is fully dedicated to their passion. Guido from STL Labs designs and 3D prints impressive scale cars that anyone can build and customize themselves.We asked STL Labs how his business began and where it all started.
"STL Labs was born from a passion for 3D printing and cars. It started in 2019 as a hobby project, when I teamed up with two classmates (who also had 3D printers) to create an Instagram account where we shared our prints. Even before Instagram Reels became popular, our posts were getting a lot of attention.
Over time, my classmates stopped, but I kept going. With my background in engineering and my passion for supercars, hypercars and motorsport (Formula 1 and GT3 racing), I decided to design my own car scale models, since there were very few high-quality, printable models available. My first model was the iconic 1988 McLaren MP4/4, driven by my hero Ayrton Senna.
When - - May 21, 2025
The story of Velocity Projects
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Velocity Projects is a duo of friends who said they would take matters into their own hands in the topic of RC model cars. They focused on bringing full-scale racing engineering down to RC scale.
Velocity Projects set out to improve the performance of their RC models by 3D printing tires using VarioShore TPU, after finding that off-the-shelf tires and those printed from conventional TPU failed to meet expectations. The topic of tire production came up when their model turned out to be great in tests, but tires made of ordinary TPU didn't quite manage to generate enough grip, but they couldn't buy ready-made tires in this scale.
Their new goal was to bridge the gap between realistic handling and custom fabrication, which led to intensive testing on various terrain sections of their model driving sites.The results were striking
Compared to regular TPU tires, the VarioShore versions delivered a dramatic performance boost, offering - - February 20, 2025
HOW TO KEEP YOUR RC PLANE IN THE AIR
REDUCE WEIGHT WITH LIGHTWEIGHT PLA 3D PRINTING FILAMENT
Lightweight PLA is the first filament of its kind: a 3D printing filament using active foaming technology to achieve lightweight, low-density printed parts. At around 230°C (446°F) LW-PLA starts foaming and it increases its volume by nearly 3 times.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN USING OUR LIGHTWEIGHT PLA
DECREASE YOUR MATERIAL FLOW
By decreasing the material flow by 60% you can achieve lightweight parts.
PRINT BIG LAYER HEIGHTS
You can also use the expanding properties to reduce print time by printing big layer heights or extra thick materials. Fine tuning and optimization is required to make the most of your LW-PLA use.
TEMPERATURE, SPEED AND FLOW
Assuming nozzle size and layer height are fixed, our main input variables are temperature, speed and flow to determine the amount of expansion.
BEST PRACTICES
BIG, BIGGER, BIGGEST RC AIRPLANE
"Designing, printing and flying bigger and bigger RC airplanes
- - December 10, 2024
Building the Landy Mini with 3D Printing: A Compact Model Full of Character
3D printing has opened up an incredible world of possibilities for hobbyists, tinkerers, and model-making enthusiasts. From scaled-down replicas of real-world vehicles to fully customized designs, the only limit is your imagination. Among the many exciting projects out there, the Landy Mini stands out as an impressive blend of ingenuity, detail, and functionality.
If you’ve ever wanted to bring the rugged charm of a Land Rover-inspired vehicle to life in miniature form, this project is perfect for you. The Landy Mini is a highly detailed, fully 3D-printable model with functional wheels, suspension, and even a working steering mechanism. In this article, we’ll explore the process of building your very own Landy Mini, including the materials, print settings, and assembly tips you’ll need for a smooth experience.
What Is the Landy Mini?
The Landy Mini is a compact, scaled-down model inspired by the iconic Land Rover.
