Drone parts take hits. A mount that holds a camera, a bracket that holds an arm, and a guard that takes the first impact in a crash all need to survive landings that are not always gentle. PLA+ for drone parts is the filament most builders reach for, because it is tougher than standard PLA and prints almost the same way. Standard PLA is easy to print but brittle. It snaps instead of bending, and a hard landing can crack a part that looked perfect on the bench. PLA+ fixes that weakness without adding the hassle of harder filaments. This guide covers what PLA+ is, why it works for drone parts, which parts to print in it, and the settings that give clean results.
PLA+ is PLA with added toughness. It is the same base plastic, modified so the finished part is less brittle and holds up better under impact. Layer adhesion is stronger, so parts are less likely to split along layer lines when they flex or take a knock. It still prints at normal PLA temperatures, sticks well to the bed, and gives a clean surface. For a hobbyist who already prints PLA, switching to PLA+ means changing the spool, not learning a new process. That is the main reason it has become the default filament for functional drone parts.
Why PLA+ for Drone Parts Beats Standard PLA
The difference shows up the first time a drone comes down hard. A PLA camera mount can crack at the screw holes. A PLA+ mount of the same design flexes a little, absorbs the hit, and keeps flying. PLA+ is less brittle in cool weather too, which matters for outdoor flying in spring and fall. Stronger layer adhesion also means tall, thin parts like antenna mounts and standoffs are less likely to snap at a layer line. The print settings stay close to PLA, so there is no long tuning process before the first good part.
The numbers back it up. PLA+ prints with a nozzle temperature of 200 to 230C and a bed temperature of 55 to 65C, at speeds up to 300mm/s. Diameter tolerance is plus or minus 0.03mm, which keeps extrusion even and layers consistent. A 1KG spool prints a lot of mounts and brackets before it runs out, and the filament is neatly wound so it feeds smooth without tangling. Those are the specs that matter when a part has to fit the first time and hold up in the air.
Which Drone Parts to Print in PLA+
Start with the parts that take load and knocks. Camera mounts, GoPro mounts, antenna mounts, arm brackets, landing gear parts, and housings are all good PLA+ prints. Guards and bumpers work well too, since PLA+ absorbs impacts instead of shattering. Small brackets that hold electronics in place are another good use, because the stronger layer adhesion keeps screw holes from splitting when you tighten them. If a part broke in PLA, reprint it in PLA+ before you change the design.
Some parts belong in other filaments. Parts that sit near motors or speed controllers and get hot belong in a heat resistant filament like Polymaker HT-PLA Pro, which handles heat far better than PLA+. Parts that must flex a lot, like soft guards and chassis pieces, belong in PETG, which bends instead of breaking. For everything else on a drone, PLA+ is the right call. It covers mounts, brackets, housings, and guards with one spool and one set of print settings.
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PLA+ Filament, 1.75mm, 1KG
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PLA+ Print Settings That Work
Print PLA+ the same way you print PLA, with a few small changes. Use a nozzle temperature of 200 to 230C and a bed temperature of 55 to 65C. Print the first layer slow so it sticks well, then run normal speeds up to 300mm/s. Keep the filament dry, since damp filament prints rough and weak. Store the spool sealed with desiccant between prints, and dry it before a big print if it has been sitting out. A clean bed matters as much as the settings, and a thin layer of bed adhesion glue helps on large flat parts.
Picking a spool is simple. A full 1KG spool of PLA+ filament is ready to print, with 10 colors to choose from. If you already own reusable spools, the Anycubic PLA+ filament refill is the same tough PLA+ as a refill coil, in 8 colors. Both are the same material, so the choice comes down to whether you need a spool or already have one. Either way, print your next drone part in PLA+ and see the difference the first time it hits the ground.
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