Water Rocket Launcher

@RossGunderson_599828 I'd love to collaborate on those OpenSCAD models and developing a curriculum. The long-term goal is to have an accessible water rocketry ecosystem as an educational resource - launcher, fins, payloads, parachutes, etc. My bandwidth has been limited lately, but happy to support this with current CAD models, ideas, and collaboration. Send me a message directly if interested!

@marimolabs I have been using the launcher as part of my Physics and Physical Science classes. So they get used twice a year. I am going to print some of the Core C, and see how they do, but long term, I would like to get some easily adjustable OpenSCAD models for fins and nosecones made, so students can quickly generate parts for the rocket.

@RossGunderson_599828 I remember you from May 2023! Hope you've gotten good use out of it. Thanks for the data point for Core A. My pump topped out at 100psi so I never tested it that far.

For those newer to the project, Core A was an initial design using PVC adhesives, bolts, and more. It's still available for reference on the retired designs page, but Cores B and C are recommended for new builds.

@marimolabs I have gotten 2L bottles to 120 psi, then the Core A I was using began to leak water.

@HugoWhite I think you hold the record for highest pressurization (11 bar = 165psi). That... is a lot of energy. Never seen the flange and neck fractured like that before!

Obligatory safety warning for readers: take Hugo's warning - better even to stay below 4 bar (60psi). If you are going to do safety margin testing, perform a hydrostatic test by filling the bottle completely with water to minimize the amount of space for compressed air. Less compressed air = less stored energy for a given pressure.

Tolerances and strength depend on many factors, including material, temperature, and printing defects.

That said, if you know what you are doing and taking appropriate safety precautions, please share your safety margin testing.

Thank you for sharing!