Issus
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2012
- Messages
- 410
- Reaction score
- 0
I haven't designed a launch tower before, however seeing as i'm designing a rocket for supersonic I figured I'd go all out and get rid of the launch tower - as I'm sure it's been slowing me down in the past.
If anyone would care to take a look at my tower design and give feedback I'd be much obliged!
Design:
* Plates made from 12mm plywood, standard liteply from the hardware store.
* The angle in the middle for guiding the rocket is 25x19mm which is supposed to be 2mm thick but actually 1.65mm. Comes in 2M lengths. Planning to attach with countersunk screws on the flat sides. There is a 0.75mm radius on the corner which the rocket would sit against.
* The cylindrical tubes are 38mm PVC pipe, OD is 42.93mm. These come in 1.2M lengths here, which, if I wanted to use the full 2Metre length of angle extrusion would require a coupler. I'm hoping these will help square up the system and keep it rigid. These will be friction fitted.
* Holes on plates are for cheap 8mm rope at the top (WLL 84kg) to act as guy-wires, and the ones on the bottom plate for a couple of tent pegs, just to make sure it stays straight in boost with a smaller motor.
The tower is pictured as a 2M long tower, with my rocket which is 54mm, ~1334mm long in it. The smallest motor I would fly in the rocket simulates to "Minimum velocity for stable flight reached at: 923.74 mm". Given this, can I make my tower the same height as the PVC - 1200mm safely?
I've left a 1-2mm safety margin on the rocket fit to allow for tolerances in the extrusion, milling and body tube - how tight a fit should the rocket have with the tower? I'm guessing that bouncing around is bad, as is friction of any sort?
Any other ideas or suggestions?
If anyone would care to take a look at my tower design and give feedback I'd be much obliged!
Design:
* Plates made from 12mm plywood, standard liteply from the hardware store.
* The angle in the middle for guiding the rocket is 25x19mm which is supposed to be 2mm thick but actually 1.65mm. Comes in 2M lengths. Planning to attach with countersunk screws on the flat sides. There is a 0.75mm radius on the corner which the rocket would sit against.
* The cylindrical tubes are 38mm PVC pipe, OD is 42.93mm. These come in 1.2M lengths here, which, if I wanted to use the full 2Metre length of angle extrusion would require a coupler. I'm hoping these will help square up the system and keep it rigid. These will be friction fitted.
* Holes on plates are for cheap 8mm rope at the top (WLL 84kg) to act as guy-wires, and the ones on the bottom plate for a couple of tent pegs, just to make sure it stays straight in boost with a smaller motor.
The tower is pictured as a 2M long tower, with my rocket which is 54mm, ~1334mm long in it. The smallest motor I would fly in the rocket simulates to "Minimum velocity for stable flight reached at: 923.74 mm". Given this, can I make my tower the same height as the PVC - 1200mm safely?
I've left a 1-2mm safety margin on the rocket fit to allow for tolerances in the extrusion, milling and body tube - how tight a fit should the rocket have with the tower? I'm guessing that bouncing around is bad, as is friction of any sort?
Any other ideas or suggestions?