3D Printed Rocket Fin Can — just epoxy to a blue tube and top it off with a golf ball nosecone

The 3D print removes the vast majority of the labor (fin attachment and alignment). It also has integrated launch lugs and fillets as part of the print. More build photos below.

It can take single use aerotech H motors, duct taped at the rear for retention. The golf ball weight can be shed at apogee, allowing the airframe to come back with a streamer of DANGER tape (the hardware store sells rolls of this inexpensive plastic).

Thanks for the photo Peter Thoeny!

9 responses to “3D Printed Rocket Fin Can — just epoxy to a blue tube and top it off with a golf ball nosecone”

jurvetson

Nov 18, 2013 at 1:53 am

And we had a couple good flights of the Falcon 9 1.1, where we printed the bulbous satellite fairing that flies in that configuration

Dual Chute deployment overhead

First fin can print experiment (in white; fins are very study with this thick, with 10% infill)

Duct tape strip on inside and outside holds the streamer

Carrying the rockets to the launch pads

And the 7-ft. tall "Sticker Mirage" overhead

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seatonsnet

Nov 18, 2013 at 8:12 am

I sure wish you guys would switch to pith helmets or stetsons.

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jurvetson

Nov 18, 2013 at 5:23 pm

Awesome idea! I’ll print a spike for my bike helmet…

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Aris Jansons

Nov 19, 2013 at 8:39 pm

Good portrait – in action.

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PeterThoeny

Nov 20, 2013 at 6:40 am

Thanks [http://www.flickr.com/photos/86617138@N00] Aris!

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oldroman111

Feb 23, 2014 at 3:37 am

Awesome fins! Are you liking the term ‘printing’? Have been wondering when others will refer to it as a replicator of sorts.

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jurvetson

Apr 22, 2014 at 8:57 pm

reposting comment photos to unhide: And we had a couple good flights of the Falcon 9 1.1, where we printed the bulbous satellite fairing that flies in that configuration

Dual Chute deployment overhead

First fin can print experiment (in white; fins are very study with this thick, with 10% infill)

Duct tape strip on inside and outside holds the streamer

Carrying the rockets to the launch pads

And the 7-ft. tall "Sticker Mirage" overhead

Reply
oldroman111

May 9, 2014 at 11:14 am

Amazing!

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The Original Rocket Dungeon

Jun 6, 2014 at 2:41 am

Steve, do you have the design for the fin can posted somewhere?

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