I'll let rockdoc provide the flight report if he so wishes, but suffice it to say that a rocket lifted off using the Rev B guides and nobody was impaled. His comments were constructive and mostly positive, so I am tweaking things a touch and he'll be getting another set...I'm trying to remember which of my beta-testers had a launch coming up this weekend, so if that's you shoot me a PM.
Anyway, I've tweaked the design a touch and added a new model which is designed to handle more powerful launches (Vmax, etc.). For the light-duty guides, I've stiffened them up a bit mostly to improve print quality (they are printed vertically without support, and the design above tends to flex a bit in contact with the print head. More than I'd like, anyway). I've also added a rail standoff at rockdoc's suggestion. In retrospect, it was kind of stupid not to do this from the beginning - we aren't concerned about air drag because we're dropping the guides, and so lowering rail drag is paramount. Standoffs keep the guides from scraping the rail.
For the heavy-duty guides, I am now printing a hinged version which I think will be robust enough for Vmax/Warp9 type launches, since that was my goal to begin with. Early tests indicate that they have less rail friction, too, but they are more sensitive to tube diameter and I might have to have different versions for thin-wall, thick-wall, Blue tube, LOC, Magnaframe, etc., similar to the way you have to buy the right Aeropack retainer for your motor tube. Currently I'm working on getting it right for Proline thin-wall tubing.
Rendering below of both models, and I'll post video if and when I get them how I want them.
What do you guys think these things would be worth? I am not looking to get rich here...maybe just make enough to justify a few 3D printer upgrades so I can move into 54mm and beyond.
Thanks.
