Hello everyone,
This was an exciting week for engineering students in the Dynamics class. Having finished calculating, designing, and fabricating model rockets (most of them 3D printed), students and onlookers withstood a cold, windy Monday morning to watch their rockets take flight. Most rockets flew straight and true, quickly lost in the low hanging clouds above. There were some interesting designs including a triple-engine rocket that regrettably ran haywire from one engine that failed to ignite. Some parachutes deployed and some did not as students scoured the surrounding field when the rockets hit ground.
Rocket nosecones, including the huge triple-engine nosecone
Preparing rockets for launch
Launching the triple-engine
Propane torch used as lighter
Lost your nosecone? Use a golf ball instead!
Event onlookers
Most rockets were 3D printed this year
A couple of weeks ago, a group of students and 3D Lab staff visited Case Western Reserve’s thinkbox facility for a tour and use of its equipment. On the way back, the group stopped at the MAPS Air Museum in North Canton, Ohio for a tour. Chris from Wayne College’s T.S.S. department was already there, doing more 3D scanning work for the jet fighter nosecone project. Our tour guide spent a good two hours with the group. He explained the history and function of almost every plane and fighter on premises. It was an excellent learning experience had by all!
Tour guide explaining a jet
Guide explaining this engine’s history
A monstrously sized propeller engine
Morgan planning for world dominance
Clear for take-off
Our favorite plane, the D6.
Over the past couple of weeks, the 3D Lab hosted a group of high school seniors from Kingsway Christian School. We currently teach them CAD design and 3D printing using the free Sketchup Make program. Nathan is doing an excellent job teaching them; more on this activity later. Earlier this week, the Kinsway instructor presented a broken part from her microwave. Its rotating glass carousel dish sits upon a plastic cap that allows food to spin while cooking. This cap was cracked, so we were asked if a replacement could be made. A random student in the 3D Lab took accepted the challenge and designed a professional looking replacement in 30 minutes!
After printing, we tested the PLA cap (gray) and ABS cap (red) in a microwave. Because these replacement parts have no water content, the microwave’s energy did not heat nor deform them. A perfect replacement!
Over the past couple of months, we taught kids from the Orrville Boys and Girls Club how to make checkerboards using donated wood pieces that were laser engraved. The kids then learned how to design their own checker pieces using CAD and 3D printing. This past Friday, we hosted a checkers tournament with eight players. Cindy won the tournament and earned a 3D printed trophy. Congratulations!
See how teenagers develop a 3D printed wristband that pauses and records live TV when you fall asleep:
3D printing makes its way into the world’s first battery powered rocket:
http://www.gizmag.com/electron-rocket-batery-satellite-launch-vehicle/37060/
Stay tuned next week for more exciting developments going on in the 3D Lab!
Tom