Project: Paper Air Rocket Nose Cones

thingiverse

I designed this project as an extension to the paper air rockets featured in MAKE Magazine Volume 15. I have created various nose cones and an activity to test which type of aerodynamics provides the best flight for these small, inexpensive rockets. I have a related tail project: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1729214 https://youtu.be/VPjsU4TNLrg Print Settings: Printer: Generic Prusa i3 Rafts: No Supports: Yes Resolution: 0.2mm Infill: 40% Notes: Printing with a soft, rubbery TPE could be a good idea for safety. Results can get surprising when launching. How I Designed This I started by measuring the PVC pipe and sketching an interface for the paper body of the rocket. I created some concentric circles representing the diameter of the PVC and a lip for the paper to tape onto. I then used these designs to create various nose cones. Step 1: Hypothesis Have students develop hypotheses about which design will be the most efficient and why they think that is. Or, have them explain why their design will be most efficient. Step 2: Design and/or Build Option 1: Have students design a nose cone and print it. Option 2: Print one or all of the nose cones I have in the thing files. Step 3: Practical Testing Option 1: Assemble the parts as shown. Photos are below. Paper body -> tape -> nose cone SAFETY NOTE: Always be aware of what is downrange. Setup rocket launcher Perform a repeatable scientific collection of data: Launch rockets at same pressure, same angle, same direction, into same wind conditions. Measure the distance to landing (option to layout a landing grid ahead). Record all data in a table of distances. Repeat above for so each nose launches the same number of times. Option 2: Do above several times with different air pressures: 20 psi, 30 psi, 40psi, etc... (observe limits of your equipment) OR Do above with different launch angles. OR Come up with your own variation to test. Step 3: Calculations Have students evaluate their data for any trends and come up with the average distance their nose was able to achieve. Graph class-wide data and determine which nose, if any, was the best and why? Step 4: Review Discuss why we got the results we got. Discuss how students think they could do the experiment differently. Rubric What is potential energy? What is kinetic energy? How does air pressure provide thrust to the rocket? What is helping our design be more aerodynamic? What is creating resistance for our designs? How does friction apply to rocketry? Tips and Tricks Cone design does in fact matter - at least it did for me. I was able to land within 10 feet for the same design on multiple launches (wind was gusty). You can launch for height at ~90° launch angle or go for distance at ~45° launch angle Some designs are prone to tumbling without having tail fins. Rocket tube being paper, can usually be straightened out good enough without having to remake the rocket. Materials Needed The following materials and items can be helpful with this project: Rocket launch kit (either assembled from Make instructions, or now at least one company makes an almost ready-to-go kit) Paper 18" length of 1/2" PVC pipe (or diameter that matches your launcher) Tape Scissors Long tape measure, roll wheel, or GPS and an app for measuring could get close enough in the right hands. Open space to launch (football field, greenway, use good judgement!) Calipers, rule, or tape to measure smaller things (if you are doing design-builds) Clinometer Safety gear! Assets I have included the nose_base.f3d fusion 360 design files in the thing files. Modifications for other pipe sizes or nose designs could be made. nose_base.f3d http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:1729214 Project: Paper Air Rocket Nose Cones