"Sidekick" 3D Printed Model Rocket (No Supports)

DESCRIPTION

These are files for a 3D printed model rocket that I designed. The rocket has not been flight-tested. However, the pieces seem to fit together nicely after a little sanding and filing. I designed it to also print easy and so that it should not require any supports. Please let me know if you print the rocket and enjoy it! :)

It was designed to fit Estes C sized motors/engines that are 18mm (0.69in). (However, I did not have one on-hand when taking the measurements and test printing. So I was not able to verify a perfect fit.) The rocket comes with a recovery ring built into the nose cone and a recovery retainer ring that can be glued into the rocket’s body section. I created the fins as separate pieces so that they could be printed flat; which leads to a cleaner print and makes them more aerodynamic. I am printing the final version and hope to fly it soon. When that happens, I'll try to add some pictures and report back :)

SUGGESTIONS

Materials: I used PETG CF from Protopasta. I am not sure how PLA would do. However, if it melts, just print another one :)

Print Stages: I printed the rocket's body parts first and then printed the fins as a second print job. This allowed me to print the rocket's body parts with a raft so as to give the tubes more stability as they got higher and higher (and allowed me to print the fins completely flat which made them print better and made them more aerodynamic.)

Orientation/Supports: There should be no need for supports. I did invert the main body tube so that the top portion printed flat on the bed since it was wider. And I did print the main body portions and accessories with a raft to help with stability and adhesion as it printed.

Assembly: 

• Assembly is pretty easy if you take a moment and see how most model rockets fit together. 
• Test fit all parts first. Super glue dries fast. Sand and file parts as needed.
• The rocket body recovery retainer (#2) can be inserted into the top of the main body tube (#3) by pushing it down into the tube using the cone (#1). Once it is seated inside the tube, you can apply a little super glue to lock it in. Just be sure you let it dry completely so that the cone does not get glued permanently into the body tube.
• Glue the launch lug (#5) onto the side of the main body. Just be sure to get it straight.
• Apply a little glue onto the main body tube (#3) and insert it quickly into the rocket’s base (#4). The portion of the main body tube that inserts into the base of the rocket should serve as a retainer ring to keep the motor/engine sticking out of the bottom about ½ inches.
• Glue the fins (#6-9) onto the base (#4).
• Find a parachute army man at a dollar store and steal the parachute. Attach it to the nose cone and the nose cone to the rocket's body using some sort of string/band.

Other Notes: I included a file for an optional Nose Cone Recovery Attachment. This is not needed since the nose cone already has one built into it. However, I had printed another rocket I found online and it didn’t have one. So I designed one and included it with these files just for fun.