E-Class Model Rocket - Free 3D Print Model

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billyde2003

Hobby & DIY>Other Hobby & DIY

IP Report

Print Profile(1)

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X1 Carbon

P1S

P1P

X1E

A1 mini

H2D

H2D Pro

H2S

P2S

H2C

X2D

A2L

0.2mm layer, 4 walls, 50% infill

Designer

8.7 h

1 plate

4.6(39)

Open in Bambu Studio

Boost

379

954

1 k

470

Released

Description

This is a 3 piece model rocket I designed to take Estes E-class engines. There is a 'launch lug' on the outside of the fin section to fit over a 3mm guide rod which I recommend to keep the trajectory straight during launch.

There is also a similarly sized internal lug in the mid section tube for attaching the parachute cord and nose cone. For the parachute cord I use 3mm para-cord as it needs to be quite strong to take the force of the ejection charge.

The parachute itself is made from rip-stop nylon sheet, which I cut into a hexagon shape that is 600mm across the flats. Light weight kite string is tied to each corner of the parachute and each length is approximately 500mm long, the 6 strings come together and are each tied to the para-cord.

The fin section and mid section are glued together using 2 part epoxy and the nose cone is designed to be held in place with a secure friction fit.

Additionally, I have made the motor cover plate out of 1.5mm aluminum sheet which I cut out by hand, but you could easily3d Print or laser cut one that would do the job ok. The purpose of the plate is just to stop the rocket engine blowing itself out the bottom when the ejection charge goes off. 4 M3 x 10 cap screws are needed to hold the plate in place.

*Edit: I have now added an STL for the motor cover plate upon request. Thanks for the interest in my model!

rocket

science

aeronautics

Comment & Rating (83)

@ikes5.9

Print Profile

0.2mm layer, 4 walls, 50% infill

Great rocket model. pieces fit well together. the launch rod guide is nice and sturdy. it’s a little work to mount the parachute cords but with the right tools it can be done. The only BAD thing is that there is no butt plate that keeps the rocket engine in. This means that when the engine “backfires” to eject the nose cone and parachute the engine flies out the back of the rocket leaving you with a lawn dart that is barely visible at 1200ft with an unknown landing zone. The launch and flight were spectacular. Stuck the landing too (see pic). Luckily the ground wasn’t hard.

@jtintner

This is a great model, I have yet to download it yet but just a few questions. 1) Presumably you'd want to print this in PETG ( I think I know the answer but asking) 2) On average how many times do you see the model being able to be launched, given its plastic I have to imagine they do degrade but maybe I'm mistaken Thats it just two questions :) Excited to try this out, my Father-in-law loves to launch rockets and I want to print as many as I can since we launch them into the lake then retrieve them by boat!

The designer has replied

@billyde2003

Hi there, thanks for your support. As for answering your questions… 1) functionally wise I actually think both PLA and PETG would be just as good for this. It doesn’t experience much mechanical stress where the brittle nature of PLA could cause a failure and it never gets hot enough for temperature to be a problem either. The parachute will also slow it to the point where there is no risk of damage from impact. I store it away from the sunlight so also no issues there. I used PLA mainly because I had it available in more colours. 2) I haven’t done any long term testing but it has been designed to have thicker walls and be more durable than many other 3D printable designs out there so I don’t see any reason why it wouldn’t handle 10+ launches. Yes, the plastic will degrade over time but this is usually only an issue after continuous UV exposure. The only part that may become damaged is the retaining plate for the motor if the 3D printed version is used. This is why I made mine from aluminium plate, hower it’s an easy part to swap out either way. If lauching over the lake, please note that it won’t float as is. it may be possible to fill with expanding foam or something to add buoyancy. Or alternatively make the nose cone from foam and use this as a float marker to retrieve once the rest sinks below the surface. Hope you enjoy my model!

@Damis_

Do i have to put supports or its ready to print ?

@farmboy7675

5/5 went probably 1000 to 2000 feet launched it with out a parachute bc the first time I tried to launch it it blew up on the ground and the parachute got all ripped up but after it blew up the rocket was perfectly fine

(Edited)

@daddystoyrepair

Print Profile

0.2mm layer, 4 walls, 50% infill

This rocket is a great design, strong and sturdy compared to a previous print I did. The designer put in the guide bar holder, the nose cone bar to string the cone to the body, and put in the holder to tie the parachute/nose cone string to in the body. I had to put a bit of tape on the body and base part to make the fit snug, they would fall apart otherwise, but no a big deal. I just need to go find the part for holding the rocket in because this one doesn't have anything to hold the rocket in yet. The purple one was the brittle one.

The profile uploader has replied

@billyde2003

Hi there, thanks for downloading my model and for your kind feedback. The reason why I made the fit between the fin section and middle section slightly loose is to allow room for epoxy glue as these sections have been designed to glue together for strength. Additionally the motor cover plate wasn’t included in the original slice as I wanted to give users the choice on how to make this part but the stl file is there for seperate download. Cheers

(Edited)

@keithaconrad1

how I attach paracord some long piece inside blocks the hole?

@farmboy7675

are you sure it’s not a support?

@Puttinstankonia

May I please have the stl for the motor plate and can someone tell me exactly what motor they used?

(Edited)

The designer has replied

@billyde2003

hi there I have sent you a direct message regarding the plate file abs I use Estes E9-6 motors. Thanks for commenting

@3DDPrints

Boosted

Replying to @billyde2003 :

can you also send it to me, please?

@djv22

Replying to @billyde2003 :

For whatever reason the cover plate isn’t showing up easily under your profile can you just add it as a stand alone model so everyone can find it from the handy app? Thanks