My daughter decided months ago that she wanted a GoPro. Since I’m not really sure what a third grader needs one of these video cameras for yet, I have been glad to stall on the purchase—although we do now seem to have a new hobby in stalking the GoPro aisle in any retail store that sells such electronics. What’s even more fascinating though is the wide range of attachments and accessories available for this particular gadget, always prompting me to point out how many of these today are 3D printed by resourceful sports enthusiasts who in the past have wowed us with everything from skateboard mounts to mouth attachments for surfers.
Now, i.materialise is filling us in on eight great designs, all 3D printed and meant to serve as GoPro accessories. Whether you are skiing or firing off a new rocket, there’s something for most outdoorsy types. You may also find inspiration for creating something applicable to your own hobbies.
My favorite is the underwater mount for SCUBA and snorkeling enthusiasts. How wonderful to be able to film the serene underwater excursion, watching your experiences again later once you’ve made it back to shore. Created by Felipe De La Torre, this 3D printed GoPro accessory attaches directly to your mask so that you can share your oceanic journey with all your friends and family afterward. De La Torre was a high school senior who was looking for a customized attachment when he designed this mount in 2013.
“This was my first 3D printed design. I always found the technology really interesting…thought I’d give it a go,” said De La Torre. “Honestly, it was a bit difficult for me to design this, considering I didn’t have much experience going into this. However I got ideas from similar mounts and figured I would make a derivative composed of multiple ideas. Luckily, it worked out in the end… the design was everything I thought it to be.”
3D printed in alumide, the mask mount worked out very well for the young designer and SCUBA enthusiast as he didn’t have to drill a hole into his mask. He already tested out his design underwater at El Matador Beach in Malibu, California and it passed with flying colors.
Other cool GoPro accessory designs featured by i.materialise included:
The Imprenta3D Kitesurfing Mount – 3D printed in polyamide, this mount attaches to the kitesurfing lines.
The Imprenta3D Kitesurfing Mount
The All-Rounder Stick – this is a great 3D printed innovation that allows you to jockey around and above. It’s easy to hold to on to and is recommended for events such as live music where you are trying to get a better view of the show. This is also fabricated in polyamide.
The All-Rounder Stick
The Sidebar Bike Mount – download the .stl files and then either 3D print this design yourself or send it out to be 3D printed for an accessory that you can attach to your bicycle wheel. That should be some interesting and potentially fast-paced video!
The 3D printed GoPro bike mount
Skiing Mounts – it’s hard to top the excitement of taking the GoPro to the slopes, allowing us to watch the skier slice through the powder. i.materialise shows us designs for both the helmet mount and the skigoggles mount which allows you to attach a smaller camera right onto the elastic (the band must be at least 4cm wide).
Attach a mount to your helmet or goggles.
Drone mounts – no drone is complete without a mount for video, but you may also want to check out the Hovership MHQ2 if you are also interested in completely 3D printing your own drone that features a folding mini quadcopter frame.
While a mount is a necessity, you can even 3D print the entire drone too.
Stabilization mounts – there’s nothing worse than shaky video. Download your own files to 3D print this mount and enjoy even, quality footage from your drone or other items. This particular mount was designed to fit designer markab’s 3D printed quadcopter frame. He explains that it may be too specific for some, but he is also in the process of creating another mount that is a variation for the GoPro 3.
The Cannon Cam – this is a rocket device meant to hold your GoPro. Designed by Dan Spangler, the Cannon Cam was designed out of a challenge to see if Spangler could create a modified rocket that would fly without crashing. It features a module for a camera with a window for video. For more information on 3D printing the Cannon Cam, see here.
While you may be interested in having one of these mounts or accessories 3D printed, keep in mind that i.materialise can also print any of your designs. It’s as easy as sending them your 3D file and picking out materials and finishes. Discuss in the GoPro Mounts forum at 3DPB.com.
[Source: i.Materialise]
