SLS Rocket (9 inches tall)

thingiverse

This is a simple model of NASA's SLS rocket. I hope you have as much fun printing this as I did drawing and sharing it. Instructions The rocket breaks down into five separate parts, making it easier to assemble. I assembled my 3D printed version using the MakerBot Replicator 2X. Each part required less than an hour to print. I printed all the bottom components vertically except for the top. These parts were printed at a lower resolution using MakerWare defaults (two shells: 2, layer height: .30 mm, extruder speed: 90 mm/s, travel speed: 150 mm/s) with one modification – the infill percentage was set to 25%. The top piece I printed horizontally, initially printing it vertically resulted in an aesthetically pleasing swirl on the abort motor. At standard resolution settings (two shells: 2, layer height: .20 mm, extruder speed: 90 mm/s, travel speed: 150 mm/s), and a 25% infill percentage, I printed this piece to perfection. A raft was applied to each part; supports were only required for the top and bottom components. Using the MakerBot Replicator 2X enabled me to take advantage of its break away support material, but a print using standard build material as the support material also proved successful, although removing it took some effort. A problem with sticking occurred during printing, which I rectified by pausing after the raft had been printed and taping around the edges using blue painter's tape – a method that consistently delivered good results. Depending on your 3D printer model and materials used, you may find that parts click easily together without further preparation. However, slight issues with joining parts occasionally occurred due to minor inconsistencies in printing material shrink rates, prompting me to apply minimal sanding/file operations to secure their bond. As one instance demonstrated, extreme difficulties resulted in gluing the top piece in place.