Customisable Modular Model Rocket
This is a simple, cheap and flexible modular model rocket design in OpenSCAD.
Using Customizer you can:
- Select a rocket size (e.g. mini, standard, C)
- Choose how many fins and what size
- Vary the height of the various sections (finCan, body, nose cone, etc)
- Alter the type of nose cone
- Add an optional, payload section
- Set your guide rod size
- Tweak the tolerances for your printer
Make sure to customize and export the various parts, then get printing.
The rockets are fairly durable, even without a recovery system, but the heat from the rocket engines mean the finCan will only last a few flights (if using PLA). Nonetheless, this is a very fast/cheap way to play with different model rocket designs and great fun with kids - especially as they can design their own rockets.
I'd recommend tweaking the Perimeter value to generate 2 perimeters in your slicer (probably around 1mm) - one perimeter just melts too quickly.
Here's a video of some of these flying - we were running late to the field, so didn't have time to add drogues/parachutes, but they are highly recommended:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0j5vvKFOFlI&feature=youtu.be
The OpenSCAD should be a good starting point if you want to design your own sections for the rocket, or add different nose cones, fin types, etc.
Updates
- Support for swept back fins and automatic print support for rocket body
- Improved coupling joints (lighter, sprung fit)
- Fins can now be twisted to rotate the rocket in flight (for stability)
- Option of a shockcord fixing at the base of the payload coupling
- Added Haack nose cone type (constant be varied for LV, LD or anything in between)
- Fins tips can now be offset vertically
- Added support for guide rails (rail buttons) as well as guide rods
- Added payload bulkhead option
- Fixed STL generation bug for nose cone
- Added additional fin and nose cone shapes
- Added option to generate complete rocket as single STL (without internal couplers, etc)