World’s First Flying 3D Printer on an RC Plane: Elegoo Centauri Carbon
Ohio-based Flite Test team achieves the impossible by 3D printing mid-flight, with the printer enduring a 30 mph crash (no one was injured)! Flite Test, a passionate team of RC flight enthusiasts, has made history by turning Elegoo’s Centauri Carbon 3D printer into the world’s first flying 3D printer on an RC plane. Mounted on a custom RC plane, the Centauri Carbon successfully printed mid-air, with the plane’s fuselage itself having been 3D-printed beforehand using the same machine. The experiment, documented on Flite Test’s YouTube channel (2M+ subscribers), showcased the printer’s incredible durability after a 30 mph crash – it continued printing post-impact with only minor scratches!
The project began when Elegoo sent Flite Test the Centauri Carbon to create durable parts for RC planes. The team took it a step further, challenging the printer to print while flying. The result? A 55-second flight, reaching 100 feet and covering 1,200 feet before crashing into a tree. Despite the impact, the Centauri Carbon remained fully functional, proving its rugged design, including an integrated die-cast aluminum frame. The fuselage, designed in the Meglacy RC plane style, was entirely 3D-printed using the Centauri Carbon, with carbon fiber rods and ABS brackets. Flite Test plans to continue using the printer for future projects, praising its reliability and performance.
Highlights of the Flight:
Flight height: 100 feet
Flight time: 55 seconds
Distance covered: 1,200 feet
Crash speed: 30 mph
Stefan Ostergren, Partnerships Manager at Flite Test, shared:
“The durability of the Centauri Carbon is unbelievable! We crashed the printer going 30 miles per hour and it handled it beautifully! It continued to print even after the crash and after inspection, the only thing on the printer was a bit of dirt and a few scratches! It was still able to be cleaned up easily and worked flawlessly after all of that! We have not seen any issues or problems with the printer and we have printed multiple projects on it already! You never know, maybe we will revisit this project again in the future or try something new… all we know now is that we love the Centauri Carbon and we plan to use it for many years to come!”
About Flite Test:
Flite Test is a team of six engineers and dreamers based in Ohio, dedicated to RC flight innovation. With nearly 3 million followers online, they combine humor, technology, and education to inspire their audience. Their STEM program empowers students through hands-on RC aircraft projects. Learn more at flitetest.com.
About Elegoo and the Centauri Carbon:
On February 17, Elegoo, a rapidly developing brand in global smart manufacturing, opened pre-orders for its first Core-XY 3D printer, the Centauri Carbon. Designed for reliability, creativity, and productivity, the printer is priced at just 299.99 USD, making high-performance 3D printing accessible to everyone.
Since its founding in 2015, Elegoo has become a global force in consumer-grade 3D printers, laser engravers, and STEM kits, selling millions of products across 90+ countries. In 2024, the company surpassed $200 million in revenue, supported by nearly 700 employees and a 30,000-square-meter manufacturing footprint. With a focus on innovation and user-friendly technology, Elegoo continues to empower creators worldwide, offering smart solutions that enhance personalized experiences and push the boundaries of what’s possible in 3D printing.
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