Introduction: DIY Rocket

By
About: I'm a current Senior (she/her) in high school. My hobbies are gardening, running, and reading. In the future, I want to become an Engineer, either in mechanical or software.

I'm currently attending Piedmont Hills High School in the 2023-24 school year.


This is an easy and accessible way to make a rocket that is designable by you! However, I would highly encourage my design because it flies pretty far :)

Supplies

  • A standard piece of 8.5 x 11 inches paper
  • Foam sheets
  • 3D printer and Fusion360

Step 1: Roll Up the Paper

Roll the paper in the hotdog direction. Then tape it.

Step 2: Cut the Foam Sheets Into Fins

If you do not have foam paper, you can absolutely use cardboard to do this step.


These could be a triangular shape, oval-ish, and even an octagon! However, I cannot guarantee that the octagon shape would work.


Depending on the number of fins you want, you might want to use 2 scissors at once.

I'm kidding :p. The statement above this sentence is absolutely not true! Although I would like someone to try and tell me...In a safe manner of course :]


The fins serve as a stabilizer for the rocket while it's moving through the air. If your rocket spins while it is flying, that means that your fins are doing a good job :)

Step 3: Design Your Rocket Head

Now we are going to use Fusion360 to CAD model a custom head for our rocket.


You do not have to follow the following steps if you have your own design, but this is a rough guide for how you would design your own.

Step 4: Design Your Rocket Head (pt.1)

First, I sketch a circle that has the diameter of the paper roll that we made in the first step.


For me, it was 1 inch.

Step 5: Design Your Rocket Head (Pt.2)

Then on the perpendicular plane to the circle, create a new sketch, then design!


For the next step, we are going to revolve it (the circle is just a guide) so make sure to keep that in mind when making your own sketch.

Step 6: Design Your Rocket Head (Pt.3)

Use the revolve tool for 360˚ and you're done with designing!

Step 7: 3D Printing Your Rocket Head (pt.1)

Go to File >> Export and a window should pop up.


Then, choose the file type to be ".stl" and save it in a folder that you know where to find.


I've attached my design's STL and Fusion360 file in this step.

Attachments

Step 8: 3D Printing Your Rocket Head (Pt.2)

Drag the STL file into a slicer application. The application will vary depending on the printer you have. If you do not know, make sure to search on Google for this type of information. I find that YouTube videos are pretty spot on!


After I'm satisfied, I'll export the file into a USB, insert that into my printer, and print it.

Step 9: Assemble

For this rocket, it is best to use hot glue to assemble all the pieces instead of tape. And then you're done!


My teacher had a special contraption that shot the rockets for 40 PSI at 45 degrees (I would like to tell you how to build it but that's an enigma I have yet to solve). My rocket traveled 62 yards, which was quite impressive if I do say so myself!