Originally posted by blike
I just built my first aerotech rocket, and I'm fascinated by the cooling mesh concept. Does anyone know how effective they are? I'm asking because I'm designing a video rocket, and I'm wondering how isolated the camera system needs to be. If the vapors are not hot, I'm thinking about just sealing the camera compartment with a bit of masking tape or something.
I built a number of Aerotech kits back in the early 90s, and the cooling mesh, I believe, is a waste of time, and marketing hype. (I'm Marketing Manager for a small UAV company, so I know hype!)
Use a Nomex or Kevlar chute protector instead, or just wadding. The mesh clogs easily with the red caps from Aerotech reload hardware, and I had to resort to a dowel with a needle in the end to remove caps embedded in the mesh. After numerous flights, the mesh will corrode, and starts breaking off in charred little strands. After about 15 flights, my Initiator managed to corrode all of the mesh, and finally none was left. The I just went to wadding.
I think "cooling" is a misnomer. It doesn't cool the ejection -- it just blocks the little burning chunks that nail your chutes. You can accomplish the same thing with two plywood rings -- both having a number of holes, but that do not align. That way the chunks cannot pass straight thru.
I give "Cooling Mesh" Two Thumbs Down ...
