Can You 3D Print a Beyblade? 3 Things To Know

As 3D-printing technology becomes more widely available, it’s being used to print all sorts of valuable and fascinating things: from machine components to pieces of art. So it should come as no surprise that many 3D printing enthusiasts are now creating custom versions of their favorite toys. Some 3D printers even make and sell supplemental pieces for toy lines like LEGO and Mega Bloks, but can you 3D print a Beyblade? 

You can 3D print a Beyblade, and many fans consider this the future of the hobby as certain designs are now unavailable. First, find a design that includes multiple parts, and ensure you’re using the right kind of filament. Also, buy decals or paint the finished product to make it more authentic. 

This article will explore various tips, tricks, and things to keep in mind when 3D printing your own Beyblades: from the design to the materials, and even where you can find pre-made blueprints so you can get playing quickly.

Three Things To Keep in Mind When 3D Printing Beyblades

Beyblades were developed by Japanese company Takara and launched in 1999. Since the last line of Beyblade toys was released in 2015, 3D printers have started creating their own. 

Beyblades, being spinning tops, need a little more time and patience to design and print than your average 3D-printing project: it requires precise design and attention to detail. 

Check out this video that provides information on how to design your own spinning top so you can see the work needed:

Weight and balance play a crucial role here, and those are affected by your choice of material. If you’d like to skip the design phase and just start printing Beyblades, there are a wide variety of sources where you can download pre-made designs to get started quickly and easily. 

3D-printing a spinning top requires careful planning, so follow these tips to ensure you get it right.

1. Design Affects How The Beyblade Spins

The design of a Beyblade is the most crucial aspect for a lot of reasons. The best Beyblades are the ones that look the coolest aesthetically: smooth curves, jagged edges, spikes, patterns, and stickers give each Beyblade its unique look and feel. 

But Beyblade fans will be relieved to know that it’s possible and common for 3D printers to design extravagant Beys that look just as cool, if not cooler, than the officially manufactured ones. 

However, the design and shape affect the Beyblade’s ability to spin. Excess weight in certain areas of the design will help or hinder its effectiveness in action. 

Beyblades Need Evenly Distributed Weight

When designing a Beyblade to be 3D printed, keep angular momentum in mind. Angular momentum refers to the tendency of spinning objects to balance upright until acted upon by an outside force, in this case, the top’s friction.

Evenly distributed weight results in a greater angular momentum, which is vital in keeping the Beyblade upright and spinning. Be sure to hit a middle ground of weight distribution and aesthetics—balancing the Beyblade by mirroring design elements is key. 

Additionally, be sure that the spinning axis is perfectly aligned with the center of the Beyblade. Otherwise, it won’t spin at all.

In terms of the overall weight of the Beyblade, this can vary. 

3D-printed Beys tend to be on the heavier side, which means they tend to be more powerful than an officially manufactured Beyblade. However, this can vary depending on the type of material used.

1. Best Materials for 3D Printing Beyblades Are PLA or PLA+

Traditional Beyblades are made from polycarbonate plastic typically used in manufactured toys. 

In 2008, they introduced the Metal Fusion line, which incorporated metal elements. One of the most popular additions to the toy line, Beyblade fans with 3D printers, usually end up utilizing some metal elements in their build once the printing process has finished.

Always Use 100% Infill

The material you use to print your Beyblade has a drastic effect on its speed, durability, and performance. 

3D printing enthusiasts recommend using 100% infill to ensure the integrity of the Beyblade—this will also increase its overall weight, adding to its effectiveness.

Abs Plastic Offers the Best Quality and Durability 

ABS plastic is the most common material used in the creation of 3D-printed toys. It has a high resistance to both temperature and impact, making it especially desirable for toys such as Beyblade. 

Famously, ABS plastic is used to create LEGO blocks, known for their rigidity under pressure. Unfortunately, this also means that it’s slightly more challenging to work with than other materials, as it’s less flexible and requires more finesse.

Beginners Should Use Polylactic Acid

Beginners to 3D printing commonly use Polylactic Acid, or PLA, for entry-level projects. It’s cheap and relatively strong, although it’s known to get brittle as it ages. 

A slightly stronger material, PLA+, is recommended as an alternative to PLA that will withstand the wear and tear that a Beyblade will encounter.

If you’re not experienced working with ABS plastic, we recommend starting with PLA or PLA+ for Beyblades. If you find that these aren’t strong enough to sustain prolonged use, you may want to look into ABS.

1. You Can Find Premade Designs Online

Like with all 3D printing projects, there are a wealth of Beyblade designs available for free download made by the Beyblade community. 

If you’re brand new to 3D printing Beyblades, you may want to start with one designed by someone else. This will allow you to get a handle on the printing process and hopefully give you some inspiration on eventually designing your own.

We recommend the 3D printing design websites Thingiverse and MyMiniFactory: users have uploaded countless Beyblade designs to choose from, both simple and incredibly complex. 

There are also designs available for simple Beyblade arenas as well as Beyblade launchers. 

Conclusion

3D printing Beyblades has become common practice in recent years, and since they’re no longer readily available, it’s a great way to design, create, and play with this hugely popular toy. 

Remember, it’s essential to consider the object’s angular momentum and design’s effect on weight distribution. Also, keep in mind that your print material affects your Beyblade’s performance and durability. 

Of course, you don’t have to be an expert to do it yourself: plenty of pre-made designs are available for free!