3D Printing TRF Challenge #1: Estes Menace

[cwbullet]

I am issuing a challenge to our group. This can be a personal effort or a group.

Results: Rocksim, Openrocket files, 3d files, or build

Deadline: 15 March

You must post your results here including files.

The rocket must be a design based on the original but it can be upscale. More to come on prizes.

 

[dr wogz]

Estes Kit #2173 Kit instructions here, details here..

So @cwbullet , this is a kit bash*? And/or a reproduction: STL files for 3D printing all or part, unique sim files (OR or Rocksim), or an up/downscale of the actual kit..

*Kitbash: to use the parts, but build something not looking like the kit..

 

[neil_w]

The rocket must be a design based on the original but it can be upscale.

It is not at all clear what this means.

 

[cwbullet]

It is not at all clear what this means.

I corrected the wording. It must be based on the original design but can be altered slightly. It can be the same size or smaller and larger.

I would like ti to have 3d Printer parts also.

I might try to find judges so I can participate.

 

[NTP2]

Prizes? Isn’t glory prize enough!

Ps probably makes it cheaper to.

 

[cwbullet]

Prizes? Isn’t glory prize enough!

Ps probably makes it cheaper to.

Glory is part of it. I really want to challenge our community to make us better.

 

[sl98]

Here is some inspiration for your contest. I built a "Super Menace" years ago using BT-80. Through wall fins. I used a copy machine to blow up the original card stock scoop pattern. The nose cone has an Eggtimer for both nose weight and apogee deploy. Flies great. If I can find the openrocket file I will post it later.

 

[NTP2]

Ok I can’t tell from any pics, is there a scoop in both sides?

 

[sl98]

Ok I can’t tell from any pics, is there a scoop in both sides?

Just on one side.

 

[kuririn]

More inspiration.
My full size clone.
Traditional build, no 3D printed parts so I doubt it would do well in the contest.
Flyable, but needs filler, primer, paint and decals.
The decals really make this rocket pop.

 

[cwbullet]

View attachment 628657
More inspiration.
My full size clone.
Traditional build, no 3D printed parts so I doubt it would do well in the contest.
Flyable, but needs filler, primer, paint and decals.
The decals really make this rocket pop.

nice example

Here is some inspiration for your contest. I built a "Super Menace" years ago using BT-80. Through wall fins. I used a copy machine to blow up the original card stock scoop pattern. The nose cone has an Eggtimer for both nose weight and apogee deploy. Flies great. If I can find the openrocket file I will post it later.

View attachment 628592View attachment 628594

Ditto - good example.

 

[NTP2]

Can you say anything about the judging criteria? Just a beauty contest or is preformance important?

 

[Zyzzyva1000]

The real key here is that now that you can take open rocket files and turn it into an .obj file, a well designed sim file can be made into a real rocket. Just as an example, I modified a nice AIM-9 sidewinder file someone had posted on here, and printed it this past week and flew it yesterday. This is a great idea @cwbullet! Will have to work on the contest later, but here's what I managed to print just using open rocket to generate the parts.

 

[cwbullet]

Can you say anything about the judging criteria? Just a beauty contest or is preformance important?

To enter? Must have a 3d print in the model. It must have a sim file. The rest will be up to the judges.

 

[NTP2]

To enter? Must have a 3d print in the model. It must have a sim file. The rest will be up to the judges.

Ok I was wondering if I should care about performance or just make it fly.

I’m off to go think up some ideas…

 

[NTP2]

Does anyone have an open rocket file for the menace? I can’t figure out how to do that air scoop, a tube fin?

 

[kuririn]

Does anyone have an open rocket file for the menace? I can’t figure out how to do that air scoop, a tube fin?

Folded cardstock.
I think the template may be on either the JimZ site or the YORP site.
Don't remember.

 

[neil_w]

Does anyone have an open rocket file for the menace? I can’t figure out how to do that air scoop, a tube fin?

A tube fin on a pod (positioned inside the body tube) would do it. If you only care about visuals then you could just use a body tube. A square scoop would require a bit of gymnastics but it is doable.

 

[NTP2]

A square scoop would require a bit of gymnastics but it is doable.

Hmm normally, l would not care but it’s a contest I need to make it pretty! So could you elaborate?

 

[kuririn]

Hmm normally, l would not care but it’s a contest I need to make it pretty! So could you elaborate?

The template is linked in the good doctor's post #2.

 

[neil_w]

Hmm normally, l would not care but it’s a contest I need to make it pretty! So could you elaborate on the stretch’s I need?

Each side of the scoop would need to be a fin attached to a pod with a phantom body tube. You can do it with two pods.

Note that there's a limit what you can do if you want things to be non-parallel to airflow, but if you play with fin cant you can probably make something happen.

Quick and dirty demo:


ORK file not attached.

 

[cwbullet]

Each side of the scoop would need to be a fin attached to a pod with a phantom body tube. You can do it with two pods.

Note that there's a limit what you can do if you want things to be non-parallel to airflow, but if you play with fin cant you can probably make something happen.

Quick and dirty demo:
View attachment 629082

ORK file not attached.

Very nice.

 

[NTP2]

ORK file not attached.

Your a evil person Neil

 

[frogglicker]

Here's the first pass on my scoop design for a 3-in upscale of the Menace:

I split into two parts so I could alter the aft section and b/c it wouldn't fin on my print bed.

 

[dr wogz]

Just to up the bar a bit...






(last half hour of the day.. Walmart can wait..)

 

[cwbullet]

Just to up the bar a bit...

View attachment 629528 View attachment 629529




(last half hour of the day.. Walmart can wait..)

Pretty nice. i would do 3d printed fin cans and cardboard tubes.

 

[dr wogz]

Pretty nice. i would do 3d printed fin cans and cardboard tubes.

I wanted a non-round body.. (not too sure if that's apparent) is a bit of a lop-sided hexagon.. (And, I'd be the first to say, 'go with tubes & wood' for the construction - never a fan of 3D printed parts when stronger materials are [easily!] available. Cut the slabs, fold the cardboard. But print the organic & compound shapes..)

Debating on how it'll be printed to reduce the need of supports.. (Will likely chop it lengthwise, but then the fins can be weak..) Also debating if i want to go thru the trouble of 'lofting' the fins, to have a proper airfoil shape (but that can lead to a lot of work planes!)

This was whipped up in about a half hour.. Just giving an idea of what can be done in CAD, and to set the bar for the others..

 

[K'Tesh]

Estes Kit #2173 Kit instructions here, details here..

So @cwbullet , this is a kit bash*? And/or a reproduction: STL files for 3D printing all or part, unique sim files (OR or Rocksim), or an up/downscale of the actual kit..

*Kitbash: to use the parts, but build something not looking like the kit..

I found that JimZ's site has better scans of the instructions as well as the fins and decals (along with rulers for scaling info).

 

[cwbullet]

I wanted a non-round body.. (not too sure if that's apparent) is a bit of a lop-sided hexagon.. (And, I'd be the first to say, 'go with tubes & wood' for the construction - never a fan of 3D printed parts when stronger materials are [easily!] available. Cut the slabs, fold the cardboard. But print the organic & compound shapes..)

Debating on how it'll be printed to reduce the need of supports.. (Will likely chop it lengthwise, but then the fins can be weak..) Also debating if i want to go thru the trouble of 'lofting' the fins, to have a proper airfoil shape (but that can lead to a lot of work planes!)

This was whipped up in about a half hour.. Just giving an idea of what can be done in CAD, and to set the bar for the others..

Strength of 3d part can be more than adequate and lighter.

 

[NTP2]

Each side of the scoop would need to be a fin attached to a pod with a phantom body tube. You can do it with two pods.

Note that there's a limit what you can do if you want things to be non-parallel to airflow, but if you play with fin cant you can probably make something happen.

Quick and dirty demo:
View attachment 629082

ORK file not attached.

Quick question, will that simulate the physics or should I put a tube fin inside it?