davesrocketshop / rocket

FreeCAD Rocketry Workbench

FreeCAD Rocketry Workbench

A rocket design workbench for FreeCAD

Install

Automatic

The Rocket Workbench is available as part of the Addon Manager. See https://wiki.freecadweb.org/Std_AddonMgr

Manual

Expand for Manual install instructions

1. Obtain your user's default FreeCAD folder by typing the following in to the FreeCAD Python console FreeCAD.ConfigGet("UserAppData")
2. Open a shell terminal
3. Switch to folder in step 1 and append the Mod/ subfolder ex: cd ~/.FreeCAD/Mod
4. Type git clone https://github.com/davesrocketshop/Rocket

The Rocket workbench will automagically download to your local machine.

5. Restart FreeCAD for changes to take place.
6. Rocket WB should now be available in the workbench dropdown menu.

Note: In order to keep Rocket WB up-to-date you'll need to follow Steps 2 and 3. But for step 4 replace with git pull
Again, restart FC to use the latest changes.

Materials

Materials are supported by all rocket workbench parts, but the core product support isn't currently up to the task. This will be improved in upcoming releases. For versions 0.20 and earlier you must apply a work around to see all the rocket materials.

1. Load the Rocket Workbench. The necessary preferences will not be available until the workbench has been loaded.
2. From the "Edit" select "Preferences...'. In the left hand column select the FEM Workbench.
3. Select the "Material" tab at the top.
4. Check the "Use materials from user defined directory". Set the directory to your user directory. For example, on Windows this would be "C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\FreeCAD\Mod\Rocket\Resources\Material"

Internationalization

This workbench has been written with multiple language support. If you are willing to provide a translation to your native language please open an issue and we'll work to get that done.

Reporting issues

The best method for reporting problems is to create a new issue in GitHub. Please include information such as the development branch you're using, instructions on how to reproduce the error, and where relevant a copy of the file in which the issue was encountered. The more information you provide the easier it will be to pinpoint the problem.

Feedback

For any feedback, features, and discussion please refer to the Rocketry workbench FreeCAD forum thread.

Developers

David Carter AKA @davesrocketshop

Contributions

Component database originally taken from the Open Rocket project. (https://github.com/openrocket/openrocket) Whole sections of the Open Rocket code have been shamelessly plagiarized.

Now using the improved and curated parts database by Dave Cook instead (https://github.com/dbcook/openrocket-database)

Portions of the pyatmos module by Chunxiao Li are included with this software (https://github.com/lcx366/ATMOS)

License

LGPLv2.1 (see LICENSE)

rocket's Issues

Import RASAero files

Add fin fillets to fin can

Fillets aren't something FreeCAD does well. In particular it does not seem to do concave fillets at all. This needs to be done in a generalized way that will support all fin styles (and launch lugs, launch guides, etc)

Add CONTRIBUTING.md

Not all external workbenches use Crowdin for translations. This has already led to confusion. See (#43)

Documenting the means of contributing is useful for other forms of contributions as well.

Rounded objects do not always render smoothly and leave "dimples" when exported to STL, AMF, OBJ file formats

It's hard to describe this, so I added some pictures to illustrate. This seems to be an issue that occurs when creating an object with multiple compound radii. You can see in the first picture that the leading edge and trailing edge of the fins (airfoil shaped) show some artifacts rather than smooth lines in FreeCAD. In the second picture, I have loaded an exported STL of a nose cone into Cura and the "dimples" are clearly visible on the side of the nose cone. I have confirmed this happens when exporting to OBJ and AMF file formats, as well, albeit the "dimple" pattern is slightly different. So far, I have been able to smooth them with filler and sanding, but it's a lot of extra work...you can't just print a piece, clean up the edges, and go.

Note: for the nose cones, it appears to affect Von Karman and Haack, but not ogive.

Create component libraries

Create libraries of standard components available from various manufacturers

• Allow the user to select in the task panel
• import similar libraries from OpenRocket, Rocksim and others

Add scaling tool

A request from the Rocketry Forum.

Provide a single tool that will allow scaling (up or down) of existing models in one operation.

Map OpenRocket materials to FreeCAD materials

FreeCAD materials have a number of mechanical properties available that aren't in the basic OpenRocket materials. Mapping these to FreeCAD materials would simplify analysis of imported models. This will also require the creation of material cards not currently in the standard FreeCAD material list.

Users should also be able to create their own mappings and material cards

Allow transition shoulders to match the diameter

As currently designed, the transition requires shoulder diameters to be less than the end diameter, as would be the case when used with a body tube. There are time's when it is desirable to match, such as when creating a mandrel.

Import Rocksim files

Changing placement of fins causes them to jump to strange places after copying a fin object

Expected: After making multiple copies of a fin object, I should be able to rotate them and move them around.

Actual: Rotating or moving a copied fin causes the fin objects to be moved to strange places.

Steps to reproduce:

1. Create a body tube
2. Create a single fin
3. Place it where you want it to be on a body tube
4. Duplicate or copy/paste the fin
5. Go to placement and select the "X" axis and "Apply incremental changes"
6. Select and angle, e.g. 120
7. Click "Ok" and notice the fin jumps position
   
   
   

Ejection charge calculator

With a fully assembled rocket design, calculate the amount of BP required to achieve the desired ejection pressure (15-20 psi?)

Improve workflow for exporting multiple parts as a single object

When exporting for 3D printing it can be desirable to merge parts as a single object. See the forum thread here: https://forum.freecad.org/viewtopic.php?p=713110#p713110

This should be possible with a single operation.

Icons not appearing in wb dropdown or tool icons

Hi Dave, Excellent work. On my install all the icons are missing. Both the icon on the dropdown workbench and the actual tool icons.

10:22:47 Cannot find icon: /home/concretedog/.FreeCAD/Mod/Rocket/Resources/icons/RocketWorkbench.svg 10:23:04 Cannot find icon: /home/concretedog/.FreeCAD/Mod/Rocket/Resources/icons/Rocket_NoseCone.svg 10:23:04 Cannot find icon: /home/concretedog/.FreeCAD/Mod/Rocket/Resources/icons/Rocket_Transition.svg 10:23:04 Cannot find icon: /home/concretedog/.FreeCAD/Mod/Rocket/Resources/icons/Rocket_BodyTube.svg 10:23:04 Cannot find icon: /home/concretedog/.FreeCAD/Mod/Rocket/Resources/icons/Rocket_CenteringRing.svg 10:23:04 Cannot find icon: /home/concretedog/.FreeCAD/Mod/Rocket/Resources/icons/Rocket_Bulkhead.svg 10:23:04 Cannot find icon: /home/concretedog/.FreeCAD/Mod/Rocket/Resources/icons/Rocket_Fin.svg

Please add launch rail guides and buttons

I would love to see the ability to make radiused launch rail guides and rail buttons for 1010 and 1515 rails. A way to secure them through the airframe would be a huge plus!

Add option for holes and slots in body tubes

• Holes: vents, rivets, rail buttons, etc...
• slots: TTW fin tabs

Can be used to create sleeves for marking tubes as well.

Cannot Find Icon

i have downloaded the zip file for rocket and later extracted the files from the zip. I created mod folder in FreeCAD and copied the extracted rocket file in this folder. When i open FreeCAD it shown cannot find icon : C:\Users\acer\AppData\Roaming\FreeCAD\Mod/Rocket/Resources/icons/RocketWorkbench.svg.
Please help me to solve this problem as soon as possible

Tooltips for selected tools

version of the workbench - 3.2.0

All tools except these two have pop-up tooltips.

Rocket Stage

Rocket Parallel Stage

`
cool example

RWB objects edit instead of transform

Create a RWB object (nose cone, fin, body tube, etc)
Right click
No edit entry
Select transform
Instead of being able to move the object, the object editor appearrs

Editing a part resets its placement

From the forum:
"if you adjust the placement of an object, and then edit the parameters of the object (nose cone length, for example), that then resets the placement back to the origin."

As the part gets redrawn during editing, it uses the origin for placement. It either needs to use the current placement, or reapply the placement after it's redrawn

Recovery system calculator

With a fully completed rocket, calculate the parachute size required for safe recovery

The width of the number input fields is too short.

The width of the number input fields is too short.
The green "checked icon", the unit and the values after the ./,## are displayed only, but not the leading ones.

[code]
OS: openSUSE Leap 15.3 (KDE//usr/share/xsessions/kde-plasma)
Word size of FreeCAD: 64-bit
Version: 0.20.28861 (Git)
Build type: Release
Branch: master
Hash: 4fea37b3bc5a3a9fce789dac6d2444f240bd3313
Python 3.6.15, Qt 5.12.7, Coin 3.1.3, OCC 7.3.0
Locale: German/Germany (de_DE)
Installed mods:

• Rocket 2.4.1
• ThreadProfile 1.81.0
• A2plus 0.4.56
• Assembly4 0.11.12
  [/code]

Update to new FreeCAD AddonManager metadata schema

Please see FreeCAD/FreeCAD-addons#200

Transition attachment points

Add attachment points to the transition similar to the capped options for the nose cone.

Failed test Nose Cone

Failed test:
blunted ogive: hollow Plain, solid

Rocket builder from components

Create a rocket from components. This will be a pseudo assembly using placement parameters to locate the components.

Work bench fails to launch

rocket work bench version 3.2.1 master branch

I'm getting the above error while loading the workbench on freecad version 0.21.1
This is the report view output
// report view
09:26:21 No module named 'PySide2.QtCharts'
09:26:21 Traceback (most recent call last):
File "<"string">", line 49, in Initialize
File "$HOME/snap/freecad/common/Mod/Rocket/./RocketGui.py", line 59, in
from Ui.Commands.CmdFlutterAnalysis import CmdFinFlutter
File "$HOME/snap/freecad/common/Mod/Rocket/./Ui/Commands/CmdFlutterAnalysis.py", line 34, in
from Ui.DialogFinFlutter import DialogFinFlutter
File "$HOME/snap/freecad/common/Mod/Rocket/./Ui/DialogFinFlutter.py", line 35, in
from PySide2.QtCharts import QtCharts

Feature Request: Ability to add threads to round objects such as body tubes, fin cans, etc.

This would greatly ease trying to make threaded rocket parts, as typical thread creation in FreeCAD is quite an involved process (and one I haven't figured out yet)

Fin can improvements

• Fin base radius: at the moment, fins are measured from the inside diameter which would correspond to the outside of the parent body tube. Add an option to set the base on the outside of the fin can
• coupler: add a coupler that would allow the can to mate with a body tube instead of mounting on the outside of the tube. The OD would match the OD of the body tube
  • fin can ID can match the body tube ID, or
  • it can have a stepped portion on the inside similar to an actual coupler

[GUI translation] → Nose Cone tool.

version of the workbench - 3.2.0

Task panel of the Nose Cone tool.
Not all the labels have translations.

• General tab

  

  1. solid - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=solid

  2. bar - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=bar

  3. cross - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=cross

  

  1. sollid - no string in Crowdin.

  2. hollow - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=hollow

  3. capped - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=capped

  

  1. cone - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=cone

  2. blunted cone - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=blunted%20cone

  3. spherical - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=spherical

  4. eliptical - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=eliptical

  5. ogive - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=ogive

  6. blunted ogive - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=blunted%20ogive

  7. secant ogive - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=secant%20ogive

  8. parabola - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=parabola

  9. parabolic series - no string in Crowdin.
     https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=parabolic%20series

  10. power series - no string in Crowdin.
      https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=power%20series

  11. Von Karman - no string in Crowdin.
      https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=Von%20Karman

  12. Hack series - no string in Crowdin.
      https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl?filter=basic&value=0#q=Hack%20series

• Material tab

  
  The list is so long that I will not list all the items ....

Geometry errors in blunted ogive

This seems to be unique to a blunted ogive nose cone. Creating a cross cap or bar cap fuses the mask instead of cutting, resulting in an extra piece on the nose

Add exploded view for rocket builder

Suggestion from NARCON. Add an exploded view for use in build instructions and similar

blunted ogive cone deformed

I create a nose cone with the following parameters:
blunted ogive (no shoulder)
hollow
272.61 length
66.04 diameter
1.50 thick
20.68 blunted diameter

The cone as it appears in FreeCad appears correct, if it export it to STL then import the STL to Tinkercad the footprint of the cone is 66.04 x 66.03, and there the cone is slightly deformed near the bottom. I see the same deformity loading the cone into Cura. Cones made using other parameters appear correct. See the attached image

.

When I sort one of the numerical columns in the Component Lookup, it sorts the column as text instead of numbers: 100, 102, 103, 11, 12, 13 etc.

When I sort one of the numerical columns in the Component Lookup, it sorts the column as text instead of numbers: 100, 102, 103, 11, 12, 13 etc.

Running Rocket Worshop 2.11 on FreeCAD 0.19 rev 24276

Originally posted by @GaryCAP in #15 (comment)

User component libraries

Split out from Issue #4, this one addresses user generated component libraries. This will allow the user to add their own components to a library for use in future models.

Cone and ellipse transitions throw errors when creating hollow transitions with shoulders

Incorrect number of arguments when drawing curves preventing the part from being created correctly

Please add LICENSE file

Geometry errors in airfoils

Steps to reproduce:

1. create default fin
2. set profile to airfoil
3. select fin
4. switch to the Part workbench
5. From the Part menu select Check Geometry
6. Observe a BOPAlgo SelfIntersect error

Import Rocsim component libraries

Split out from issue #4, this is for importing Rocsim component files.

Add features for BG/RG

Suggestion from NARCON. Exact features will need to be investigated

Failed tests Transition

Failed tests:
elliptical: hollow Aft Shoulder, solid, clipped
Haack series: hollow Aft Shoulder, solid, clipped
Von Karman: hollow Aft Shoulder, solid, clipped
parabola: hollow Aft Shoulder, solid, clipped
parabolic series: hollow Aft Shoulder, solid, clipped
power series: hollow Aft Shoulder, solid, clipped

[GUI translation] → main menu / Rocket

version of the workbench - 3.2.0

The menu label and some of the submenus do not have translators.

1. Rocket - string is in Crowdin
   https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl#6588168

2. Calculators - string is in Crowdin
   https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl#6588170

3. Analysis - string is in Crowdin
   https://crowdin.com/translate/freecad-addons/32156/en-pl#6600262

OpenRocket importer

Import OpenRocket files

Add option for bar or cross at the base of Nose Cones

Adding a cross or a bar will allow attachment of a parachute