2 Years ago we wondered if we could make and launch 3d Printed Rockets. Turns out you can. While understanding traditional design and build methods is super helpful, Printing Rockets creates all kinds of new challenges to balance mass, strength, drag, recovery, etc.
Tune in here to see the launches that show how well we did (We show everything even the fails) and soon more information on how we go about designing the parts, fabricating the parts and then popping them into the sky for a bit.
Do you wait until the end to retrieve all your rockets. Must be difficult to figure out which landed where. I've left rockets in the field. It would be nice to see brief video of where the rockets finally landed. Try setting the autofocus to infinity or lock the autofocus on cellphone for filming descending rockets.
@@RonzRocketz it depends on where they land: if they are fairly close we fetch them, but if they are quite far we plot them on the landing map, and then use it to sweep the field. Next time we will film the plot and if my bother comes (he flys a drone) he might be able to do a view that shows the rocket land sights. Thx for you cool suggestions and comments!!!
The Pit has 4 main Hazards: 1. Unmarked washouts 2. Unstable edges 3. Foreboding warning signs 4. SOUSs (Sandpiles of unusual size) Only this Sunday we were beset by heavy dust clouds. The Pit seems to eat the rockets and very few that go down there are ever seen again.
You are correct! It has to do with the layer lines and pressure escaping, I think. Next launch won’t fix it ( maybe it will) but I think a piston system might
Hello, and thanks for asking: I use “open rocket” to design the rocket and make sure it’s stable and safe. You can export 3d models from there, but I only use the nosecone export. For most of the modeling I use Cinema 4d. (I use it because I used to do animation and am familiar with it ) but Blender is very good, and my youngest uses solid works. But you can do some interesting things with tinkerer-cad.
@@DougBirgfeld what file type do you export it as an STL file? 😁 I am trying to figure out if I can design a rocket in old Google Sketchup and export it as an STL file into a 3D printer? 😁
@@TinyHouseHomestead hello, Normally I work in either .C4D or .blend, but then export an .STL or .OBJ from the CAD software. I remember that the first CAD I used when I started was SketchUP, so I am pretty sure you can export a STL from there. You'll want to export a high res STL, but you only need 60 radians for tubes and 30 radians for vertical transitions when you are working with the CAD file. Airfoil Fins are the hardest to make, but flat ovals or filleted polygons also work just fine
That’s pretty cool! Y’all are making me want to get back in to model rocketry. Are these files posted anywhere? How are you getting such smooth footage with hand held cams?
Hi! So glad you enjoyed it. I use a go pro and it took some practice to follow the rockets. I haven’t put them up on Thingaverse yet. (Waiting to get really reliable designs) but I’ll post the link here when I get it sorted :)
Enjoyed. I've been doing all 3d printed ABS rockets. All A size and D size. Yours are all too large for streamers. Try 8 and 12" chutes. I'm doing all integrated D rings. Even on my little A size rockets I'm running 36" Kevlar shock cords. D size about 6 feet. I think you' must be very short and this is breaking your D rings when the cone slams at the end of the cord. Lots of carnage. Keep at it. I am using .4 nozzle. A size rockets at least 2 walls on tube and One or two more on cone. D size, at least 3 walls on tube. Motor mounts, fins thicker.
Hello Thanks so much for the info. How much do you your rockets weight? for A and D. I find that more than one wall makes them very heavy. We have been printing in PLA because the ABS is such a pain to print with. We used streamers that day because the wind strong and the field was small, so we did have some breakage. I will try makeing my kevlar cord longer.
@@DougBirgfeld For the 1/2A models I am running 2 shells total for body tube, 4 for fins, 4 for motor tube. For the D size, I am building fin cans and cones for Pringles cans. Those parts are 3 walls, and about 6 for fins and motor can. My slicer settings for all models are 3 vertical walls and 2 horizontal, 20% infill. This saves a couple grams here and there. PLA melts in the sun so I don't bother with it. All my printers are enclosed. Try ASA or Petg on your bed slinger. Just did a rocket party with 18 kids and about 22 rockets, all 3d printed. We even had one CATO which did not melt the rocket tube surprisingly. 1/2A3-4 handle 28g airframes (plus streamer, retainer and wadding) just fine although delay is a bit long. A10-3 are really perfect and 3x the altitude probably. The A10 you can have airframe in the 40g range but of course, lighter is better always. I use a 3x4" patch of Nomex on the .8 to 1mm 100lb test Kevlar shock cord. Surveyors tape about 12-14" long as the streamer. My D size rockets are draggy enough, I've had non inflated parachute landings in grass with no damage. Going to set one up with 4" "CAUTION" tape streamer to fly in a couple days from smaller field. These are about 200g weight. This is way outside what is normal but it's got pretty big fins and about a 3" tube diameter so they fall like a small rocket.
What size and type of board did you step down from? Bill makes some awesome shapes and I think your S Winger is better off in bigger surf. Where are practicing at?
