rocket engine

grabcad

Due to the high complexity of liquid rocket engines, manufacturing is expensive and slow. In order to build engines cheaper, faster and on a smaller space Manufacturers are developing more and more additive Manufactured rocket engines like the SuperDraco from SpaceX. In the future better 3d-printer might enable us to colonize space.This model of a liquid rocket engine has a chamber thrust of around 6000 N, running on liquid oxygen and 70% ethanol (diluted in water). The engine will either be made out of steel or Inconel based on the desired runtime of the engine (steel arround 30s, inconel arrond 80s).Manufacturing:In order to manufacture this engine we have to use an SLS (Selective laser sintering) Printer that is capable to build with Steel or inconel. SLS has the advantage to print overhangs without support. Which allows to manufacture the Gimbal mounts on the Pressure chamber. After Manufacturing the engine all the tubes and injector have to be washed out to prevent blockage due to metal powder leftovers. The porous surfaces should not be a problem for the functionality of the engine.Note:The fuel injectors are currently only placeholders. The final version will use swirl injectors at a later point in the design.As for now the fuel would be pyrotechnically ignited. At a later stage the engine will use 3-4 radial flares as ignition system.Thank you for your interest, have a nice day.😃(I am sorry for all the grammatical errors.)