3D Printing
News Videos Newsletter Contact us
Home / News / Turn an Xbox Controller into a HOTAS Flight System with this 3D Printed Extension
qidi

Turn an Xbox Controller into a HOTAS Flight System with this 3D Printed Extension

October 9, 2020

With the release of Microsoft’s Flight Simulator 2020, it seems like everyone is a flight sim expert. The immersive game can be played with a regular game controller or a joystick, but for the most realistic experience, a HOTAS (hands on throttle and stick) setup is preferred. And like many popular items in the midst of the pandemic, HOTAS joysticks are sold out in most places despite being kind of pricey. Leave it to 3D printing to solve yet another supply chain issue as Youtube user Akaki Kuumeri designed a printable bracket that converts an Xbox One controller into a HOTAS setup.

xbox flight simulator joystick add on extension

I thought I’d pitch in and roll my own with my 3D printer, and perhaps that could elevate or enhance your simulation experience. It’s super simple to make with a 3D printer and I’ll air on the side of caution when I say it’ll be about ten bucks and perhaps an afternoon of your time to make one of these. Akaki Kuumeri, master of aviation puns

Made up of a series of linkages with ball joints that snap together, the entire contraption can be printed all at once on most printers, and none of the parts require support. After assembly, it attaches to a controller and allows the user to be much more precise in their throttle and directional adjustments. It’s difficult to make fine adjustments on the standard Xbox joystick because the throw is so short; scaling the control stick up to a life-size version makes those fine movements possible. For being snap-fit and 3D printed, the joystick has very little slop and registers incredibly light touches. He even included an optional feature where a rubber band can be added to increase stiffness and make the stick go back to the center more quickly.

Akaki tried to find a 3D model of the Xbox controller to model around but could not find an accurate one, so he took an educated guess to design the first prototype. He then printed several iterations to get the fit and function just right. While it would have been faster and cheaper to work from a digital model, 3D printing still made the less-than-ideal alternative of creating multiple iterations quite feasible. Only a few dollars of plastic and a similar number of hours were “wasted” to create this novel device.

There have been several requests for HOTAS mods for other gamepads and controllers and Akaki has kindly obliged by designing printable kits for the Xbox 360, Switch Pro, and Gamecube as well as a left-hand version. He’s rather adept at 3D printing, design, and DIY as his channel features a number of 3D printed gadgets, including a USB joystick powered by magnets. If you’d like to print your own, links to his files can be found in the descriptions of his videos.

Share:
WhatsApp Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Buffer Reddit E-mail
About the author | Cameron Naramore
Cameron is a 3D printer and CNC operator. He's fond of cooking, traveling, and science fiction.
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Latest posts

Singapore Startup Creates Limited Edition 3D-Printed Collectibles from Recycled Plastic Bottles

Singapore-based startup Unigons has launched a limited collection of 3D-printed Merlion figurines made from recycled plastic bottles. The company produced 60 pieces of... read more »

News
Singapore Startup Creates Limited Edition 3D-Printed Collectibles from Recycled Plastic Bottles

Designer Uses Robotic 3D Printing to Create Dual-Purpose Dog Furniture

Designer Liam de la Bedoyere has developed the Dog Hut Side Table, a piece of furniture that combines a resting space for dogs... read more »

News
Designer Uses Robotic 3D Printing to Create Dual-Purpose Dog Furniture

Scientists 3D Print Solar-Powered Sponge for Seawater Desalination

Researchers have developed a 3D-printed aerogel material that uses sunlight to convert seawater into drinking water. The sponge-like structure contains microscopic vertical channels... read more »

News

Revopoint Launches Major Prime Event 2025 Sale with Up to 40% Off 3D Scanners and Accessories

Revopoint is kicking off its Prime Event 2025 with a series of major discounts on its range of professional 3D scanners and accessories.... read more »

News

Turkish Companies Test 3D Printed Component for Armored Vehicles

MetalWorm and Nurol Makina, both based in Ankara, Turkey, have completed testing of an armored vehicle component manufactured using Directed Energy Deposition (DED)... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Turkish Companies Test 3D Printed Component for Armored Vehicles

McGill Spinout Uses 3D Bioprinting to Create Tumors for Smarter Cancer Treatments

TissueTinker, a McGill University spinout company, has developed 3D bioprinting technology to create miniaturized tumor models for cancer drug testing. The company recently... read more »

Medical
McGill Spinout Uses 3D Bioprinting to Create Tumors for Smarter Cancer Treatments

University of Twente Awarded €13.6M for Research in Circular 3D Printing and Transparent AI

The University of Twente has received €13.6 million in funding from the 2024 NWA ORC program to lead two research projects focused on... read more »

News
University of Twente Awarded €13.6M for Research in Circular 3D Printing and Transparent AI

China’s 3D Printed Micro Turbojet Engine Completes Maiden Flight

The Aero Engine Corporation of China (AECC) has successfully completed the first flight test of its 3D-printed micro turbojet engine in Inner Mongolia... read more »

Aerospace
China's 3D Printed Micro Turbojet Engine Completes Maiden Flight

Laser-Assisted Cold Spray Technology Enhances Material Deposition Process

Researchers at the University of Cambridge's Center for Industrial Photonics have developed a new additive manufacturing technique called laser-assisted cold spray (LACS). The... read more »

3D Printing Metal
Laser-Assisted Cold Spray Technology Enhances Material Deposition Process

Social

  • Facebook Facebook 3D Printing
  • Linkedin Linkedin 3D Printing
Join our newsletter

Our newsletter is free & you can unsubscribe any time.

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Fashion
  • Medical
  • Military
  • QIDI Tech X-Max 3

    • - Print size: 325 x 325 x 315 mm
    • - fully enclosed
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Tech Q1 Pro

    • - Print size: 245 x 245 x 245 mm
    • - 600mm/s max speed
    More details »
    $449.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • QIDI Plus4

    • - Print size: 305 x 305 x 280 mm
    • - print temperature of 370°C
    More details »
    $799.00 QIDI Store
    Buy Now
  • Snapmaker Artisan Premium 3-in-1

    • - Print size: 400 x 400 x 400 mm
    • - comes with enclosure
    More details »
    $2,999.00 Snapmaker
    Buy Now

Company Information

  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing

Blog

  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal

Featured Reviews

  • Anycubic Photon Mono M5s
  • Creality Ender 5 S1
  • The Mole 3D Scanner
  • Flashforge Creator 3 Pro

Featured Industries

  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
2025 — Strikwerda en Dehue
  • Home
  • Join our mailing list
  • Contact us
Blog
  • Latest News
  • Use Cases
  • Reviews
  • 3D Printers
  • 3D Printing Metal
Featured Industries
  • Automotive
  • Aerospace
  • Construction
  • Dental
  • Environmental
  • Electronics
  • Medical
  • Military
  • Fashion
  • Art
Company Information
  • What is 3D Printing?
  • Contact us
  • Join our mailing list
  • Advertise with us
  • Media Kit
  • Nederland 3D Printing