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Topic: 3D Printed Rocket

My first Successful print with my solidoodle. Created a 3D model rocket i found on thingiverse. I learned many things in this experiment. Such as that the center of gravity was too low as this rocket was crazy light since the nosecone weighed almost nothing. The first launch it spiraled out of control luckily it had no damage. On the second time around I added weight into the nosecone and it flew stable. Unfortunately the ejection charge was not strong enough to blow off the nosecone with all this extra weight so it crashed into the ground.

I also learned i should have probably printed another section of bodytube and that would have made it stable. Or just not print the body at all and only print the fin can and nose cone. Since the bodytube is way too light and brittle. Also i found out afterwards that it melts a little bit from the ejection charge.

One exciting possibility is creating custom e bays for electronics and altimeters on larger rockets. Although for smaller stuff it seems to be only single use. Although it would be really easy to make clusters with it smile. You could make single use clusters and sell them because you wouldn't have to deal with motor tube or fin alignment. Which would make clusters infinitely easier.

This was one fun experiment and once i get my solidoodle working again i think i will print out a glow in the dark one for night launches.

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Re: 3D Printed Rocket

Looks like a fun project. What size engine are you running? Also, how big is the ejector charge? Is it possible to use a single layer of fiber glass matting to protect the nose cone from melting?

This sounds like a blast. Keep us updated if you have more launches.

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

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Re: 3D Printed Rocket

It was a seven second ejection charge and about 1.5 grams of black powder i think.

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Re: 3D Printed Rocket

Where do you pick up rocket engines and fuel out of curiosity?

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Re: 3D Printed Rocket

You can order them online although then you have to pay for hazard shipping the best place to go is a organized NAR or tripoli launch which will have vendors there to buy anything you could want up to an M motor in California.

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Re: 3D Printed Rocket

stormclad wrote:

You can order them online although then you have to pay for hazard shipping the best place to go is a organized NAR or tripoli launch which will have vendors there to buy anything you could want up to an M motor in California.


Last time I checked (12 years ago or so) you needed a cert or a sponsor to get anything larger than an G motor.

SD2 with E3D, SD Press, Form 1+
Filastruder
NYLON (taulman): http://www.soliforum.com/topic/466/nylon/

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Re: 3D Printed Rocket

Yes and you need to use electronics for your L 3 and pass a test for your L 2 along with another test for L3. Also you will need to get a ham radio license on an L 3 project since you need to be able to find it afterwards with gps.

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Re: 3D Printed Rocket

If you have a hobby lobby, michaels or hobby shop you can get them fromthere in common sizes

I prefer hobby lobby as they have a40% coupon you can use on any item