3D Printing Rule requirement for fiber reinforcement for M+ motors and 3D printed fincans

[Dustin Lobner]

Hi everyone,

I know there's a rule in place saying that any M or larger rocket with a 3D printed fincan needs to have fiber reinforcement...or something like that? I just went through the safety/rules section on the Tripoli website and can't find anything about it in terms of specifics.

Does this mean that the material itself needs to be reinforced (with carbon fiber or fiberglass or whatever), or can you print something and then laminate it with carbon fiber or fiberglass lay up?

Thanks!

Dustin

 

[rharshberger]

Hi everyone,

I know there's a rule in place saying that any M or larger rocket with a 3D printed fincan needs to have fiber reinforcement...or something like that? I just went through the safety/rules section on the Tripoli website and can't find anything about it in terms of specifics.

Does this mean that the material itself needs to be reinforced (with carbon fiber or fiberglass or whatever), or can you print something and then laminate it with carbon fiber or fiberglass lay up?

Thanks!

Dustin

Currently afaik the only restriction is that a 3D printed fincan may not be used for L3 cert. Unless maybe you are refering to tip to tip and or laminating.

 

[Dustin Lobner]

Currently afaik the only restriction is that a 3D printed fincan may not be used for L3 cert. Unless maybe you are refering to tip to tip and or laminating.

I thought that if you print a full up fincan (like I'm doing here: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threa...-and-glass-practice-prior-to-l3.155453/page-3) you couldn't put a M or larger in it. Not that I want to here, but just for future reference...

 

[Steve Shannon]

I thought that if you print a full up fincan (like I'm doing here: https://www.rocketryforum.com/threa...-and-glass-practice-prior-to-l3.155453/page-3) you couldn't put a M or larger in it. Not that I want to here, but just for future reference...

Nope, Rich is correct. They just cannot be used for an L3 cert.

 

[Dustin Lobner]

Nope, Rich is correct. They just cannot be used for an L3 cert.

Awesome! That just opened up a whole slew of possible projects for me then. Sweet.

...also means I'm probably going to have build a bigger printer, hahahaha.

 

[alexzogh]

I think that was your subconscious telling you not to launch a 3d printed rocket without proper reinforcement. I would listen to that little voice

 

[Dustin Lobner]

I think that was your subconscious telling you not to launch a 3d printed rocket without proper reinforcement. I would listen to that little voice

Hahahah, yeah. My main issue is I have this filament that I really like (Matterhacker's Tough PLA). Amazing layer to layer adhesion, and it bends before it breaks. I've tried various "filled" filaments (fiberglass, carbon, etc) and they're always strong one way but that z-axis weakness rears its ugly head in the form of bad layer to layer adhesion. I *think* I can do better with a thick-walled Tough PLA print. Nice part is, for part of my job, I run a mechanical test lab, so I can find out for sure. But I'm not sure that filled plastic is the best thing for that either. TBD.

 

[alexzogh]

I'd love to see your test results if you are willing to share.

 

[Dustin Lobner]

I'd love to see your test results if you are willing to share.

Will do!