Question: 3D Printing from Rocksim or OpenRocket?

Is there a way to convert the parts from one of these files for 3D printing?

Curious about this myself Chuck.

This would be a great feature to make an a nose cone file from either.

cwbullet said:

This would be a great feature to make an a nose cone file from either.

Click to expand...

Or better yet tailcones and reducers too!

Yup- many possibilities

I’m not an avid 3D print-er (yet), but it seems to me that the opposite might be useseful too: importing components into Openrocket that have been designed in Autocad or OpenSCAD with the intention of 3D printing them.

Somebody had a Rhino plugin specifically for nosecones that would extract the curve and sweep out a nose.

I don't think it was this particular thread, but it might be:
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/rocket-cad-repository.138416/#post-1659383

Edit: there we go
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/solidworks-files-into-rocksim.139925/#post-1684194

Chuck,

Rocksim enables template export in svg and stl file formats. I've used the svg file export to CNC software to cut out fiberglass fins without problems. The stl files are the 3D compatible files; however, as discussed in the link to the Rhino 5 plug, it probably requires additional CAD work to 3D print.

Fred

THANKS. I found it this morning.

Ok - This how to do it in Rocksim:

1. Choose the part you want to print (For example nose cone).
2. Double click on the part.
3. On the bottom of the window, chose to export the template.
4. Type a file name and wither choose STL or SVG file type.

cwbullet said:

Ok - This how to do it in Rocksim:

1. Choose the part you want to print (For example nose cone).
2. Double click on the part.
3. On the bottom of the window, chose to export the template.
4. Type a file name and wither choose STL or SVG file type.

Click to expand...

I can’t seem to find a way to do this in OR. Did you?

Not in OR.

BDB said:

I’m not an avid 3D print-er (yet), but it seems to me that the opposite might be useseful too: importing components into Openrocket that have been designed in Autocad or OpenSCAD with the intention of 3D printing them.

Click to expand...

It would certainly be nice, but our simulation tools can't handle generic geometries. E.g. if you design a rocking chair in a CAD tool and import it into the simulator, it won't work. Distinguishing what will work and what doesn't and interpreting the data that is a hard problem for a computer and far exceeds the capabilities of a typical "file format converter".

Reinhard

Chuck,

I think the people at Apogee Components read your thread and responded, see:

https://www.apogeerockets.com/education/downloads/Newsletter476.pdf

Fred

dhbarr said:

Somebody had a Rhino plugin specifically for nosecones that would extract the curve and sweep out a nose.

I don't think it was this particular thread, but it might be:
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/rocket-cad-repository.138416/#post-1659383

Edit: there we go
https://www.rocketryforum.com/threads/solidworks-files-into-rocksim.139925/#post-1684194

Click to expand...

I wrote the Rhino plugin that reads the current v15.03 OpenRocket (ork) file and generated a rhino solid model of the geometry. I am going to re-write the plugin for Rhino6 when the next version of OR is released.

What I've done for Open Rocket is export the template, then convert it into a DXF and import it into Autocad or Fusion 360.

1. From the main pull down menu: File>Print/Export PDF
2. Select only the nose cone in the check boxes, and save the cone template as a PDF
3. Go to an online converter such as this: https://www.zamzar.com/convert/pdf-to-dxf/
4. Save the file as a DXF
5. Import DXF into CAD program, in Fusion 360 it would import as a sketch.
6. Check your scaling.
7. Modify the sketch by drawing a centerline, and then rough in your wall thickness. Multiple straight lines work fine.*
8. Revolve the object about the centerline you drew
9. Save object as an STL and import it into your Slicer software

*If you don't want to bother creating a true shell, you could simply revolve the object about the centerline as is, created a true solid. When you import your STL into the Slicer software, play around with infill densities. A "solid" nose cone can be created this way that will still be light and VERY strong.

cwbullet said:

Is there a way to convert the parts from one of these files for 3D printing?

Click to expand...

Latest Apogee newsletter:

3D Printing Nosecones with RockSim

https://www.apogeerockets.com/education/downloads/Newsletter476.pdf

I assume other things like transitions can be exported for printing.

I see why the author was NOT exporting to the proper file type for 3D printing, STL files, which is one of the options in the Rocksim "export" dropdown - Rocksim claims it created the file, but it hasn't. Nothing. Bug? I found one mention online of someone else having the same problem.

cwbullet said:

Ok - This how to do it in Rocksim:

1. Choose the part you want to print (For example nose cone).
2. Double click on the part.
3. On the bottom of the window, chose to export the template.
4. Type a file name and wither choose STL or SVG file type.

Click to expand...

There is no STL option in my Rocksim Version 9.1.4f145, just SVG and CSV.

Winston said:

There is no STL option in my Rocksim Version 9.1.4f145, just SVG and CSV.

Click to expand...

Update fixed it. Previous version was buggy with the STL option being in the File>Export drop-down, but not working even though it claimed it had exported the file, and NOT in the Export template drop-down.