3D Printed Arduino Rocket Launcher

[Larry]

What I would do with on of these! User chall2009 from thingiverse created this rocket launcher using his Makerbot Replicator 2 3D Printer, Arduino boards and some other supplies . The Rocket itself and the case for the launch control are both 3D printed.

The Arduino code for the rocket launcher is available here: https://github.com/chall2009/Arduino...master/LICENSE
The Thing Files for the 3D Printed Model is here: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:284198
The Full Instructions on how to make the launcher is here: http://www.instructables.com/id/Ardu...Printed-Rocke/

Check out the Finished Product Taking to the Sky:

[Maggie]

lol I would probably blow my hand off if I tried making these rockets. The 3D printing aspects of these look fairly straight forward. I would imagine that in order to ensure a straight flight you need to put them together pretty accurately.

[RobH2]

That's what I love about 3d printing and the accessibility of them to ordinary people. Not saying these guys are "ordinary", but just making a point. I love these home-brew products and solutions. Sure you could cut up some plywood and make a crappy looking box that would work just as well. Heck, I've played with rockets, you can do the same thing by just touching a wire to a battery. But, this is cool. It looks really serious with the key lock and protected flip switch. Maybe the Defense Department will buy some for their left over nukes.

Now they can work on a "rocket tracking mechanism" for the video camera....lol....

[RitzLLS]

Wow! Absolutely amazing. I wish I was smart enough to come up with these crazy ideas.

[RobH2]

Hey RitzLLS, don't sell your self short. We are ALL smart enough to come up with these. What you have to do is kind of "redirect" the way you view the world. Always be on the lookout for ways to improve the status quo. What's cool about having a 3d printer is that once you see something, you can do something about it. We can all come up with crazy, useful, cool, fun, interesting and nifty idea. Here's the difference, some people will take that idea and run with it like they are on fire, and sometimes, it strikes gold. So, start thinking of yourself as being able to see the world around you and to be able to come up with ideas. A good way to start is to look around your office or room and find one thing that, if changed, would just be better. Figure out how to make it better and print it. It could be as simple as a hook to hang your keys on a shelf nearby. Now you will be on a journey to always be looking at the world through a different lens, one that allows you to come up with "crazy" ideas. We all can do it, you just have to, well, do it....

[ImaginationProgress]

Here is another video. I'm pretty impressed with this as well RitzLLS

[RobH2]

You guys are great. Love the videography and soundtrack. I thought I was watching something on NASA TV. Really liked the slo-mo launches too.

I have you say, you guys are having way too much fun with your printer while I'm trying to figure out how to print gear for a mechanism with mine. I need to get out more....

It reminds me of my High School days when I did Estes Rockets. I actually built the 5-engine (C5 Estes Engines...the most powerful ones they had at the time) Saturn 1-B. It had three stages, was about 4' tall and had 3 chutes. I only launched it twice but it was spectacular going up.

Keep printing and making movies. Post the for us...

EDIT: Here's a Saturn 1B launch I found on the web. Saturn 1B Launch.

I know I'm off topic here but check this one out. Giant Saturn 5 Launch . Now you guys have to 3d print a gantry for yours.