The story of Chris Easton is a perfect example how 3D printing for fun turned into a serious business opportunity! Chris’ story begins with the designing, printing and testing of 3D parts used in remote control kit airplanes.

The opportunity arose when a manufacturer of remote controlled kit planes discovered Chris’ designs. “They liked them so much they contacted me looking to promote my accessories along side the plane kits on their website.”

Chris is currently at start up level and his designs are at the prototyping stage with a few variables still to be addressed such as: the weight, durability and getting print quality to its finest. His designs items like exhaust pipes to protrude from the fuselage, the likes of the fake aerial, light pods, machine guns, wheel retract covers and a detailed cockpit to fit into the models.

The model manufacturer Chris is designing parts for, has been established since 1995. The manufacturer is producing traditional balsa wood plane kits and they feel the addition of the accessories will help them compete against the new “ready to fly” mass produced models of today.

Chris mentions that he believes 3D printing does offer a new way forward.