3D Printing Rocket Display Stand Adapters

[ep29030]

Since building a bunch of MMX rockets i was looking for a way to display them. A 1/4” rod is a perfect fit. I then drilled out a few 1/2” dowel plugs with a 1/4” bit. They slip over the rods and convert them to 13mm stands.
With a new resin printer, I decided to print the 13mm motor adapter. After a few iterations, I have a design that is strong, but allows excess resin to drain during print. I’ve scaled it up to 18 and 24mm motors. The 1/4” rod slides 3/4” inside the adapter. Can be glued to be permanent or left removeable. All adapters have aft ring and a notch for motor clip if you have it. This lets you display anything from MMX to E motor rockets from the same metal rod in a display stand. Glad to share the STL. I’ll get them posted shortly, probably in TinkerCAD and Thingiverse. The display stands pictured are 2” square oak boards with cork base.

 

[SolarYellow]

I tested a print of a nose cone shoulder for BT-20, just elevating it 5mm with the resin supports. I was just looking for the final geometry (diameter and thickness) that the printer produced from my model, so I didn't bother to remove the supports. It is a perfect slip fit in a BT-20, and it occurred to me to use it as a display stand for rockets with fins that don't hang down. Might even do some on purpose with a thrust ring, and maybe leave a big enough gap between supports somewhere for the hook to go.

If I had stands like you already do, I would honestly just chop up a 1/2 inch wood dowel using the other tools in the shop rather than print these things. I enjoy subtractive manufacturing more than additive, it turns out, at least when the form is simple enough to be made with simple tools.

 

[ep29030]

I found the challenge to be drilling out the 1/4” hole in the dowels. I had best success clamping the drill pointed up in a vise and putting the dowel in the drill press chuck and lowering it on the stationary drill bit. None of them were perfectly centered. I have about a dozen dowels I made this way.

 

[SolarYellow]

I have access to a lathe. Drilling holes in the center of round things is easy for me.

 

[cwbullet]

You should perfect these and share them.

 

[ep29030]

13mm, 18mm, 24mm display adapters are published in Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:6802893
Or download the attached file.