**E178: Lab 1 Preliminary Assembly Level 1** |[home](../index.md.html)|[syllabus](../syllabus.md.html)|[assignments](../assignments.md.html)|[labs](../labs.md.html)|[final project](../finalproject.md.html)|[flight data](../FlightData.md.html)|[getting certified](../RocketryCertification.md.html)| # The LOC Precision 1.6" Weasel Kit The purposes of this lab are threefold: 1. To give you practice in basic high-power rocket construction techniques. 2. To provide you a rocket for certifying Level 1 if you have not already done so. 3. To give me an opportunity to assess your assembly techniques. The Weasel is a rocket that will stand up to the rigors of a Level 1 certification flight but not a Level 2. We will use BSI 5-minute epoxy for the construction to get you familiar with working with epoxy, while not having to wait for the long curing times of Aeropoxy and other high-end epoxies. You will also laser cut and build the avionics bay, and test the avionics. Some more details, including the list of supplies is on the [Flight Hardware](../FlightHardware.md.html) page. Detailed assembly instructions are at [Weasel Basic Assembly Instructions](../CardboardWeaselRocketAssembly.md.html). The manufacturer's instructions, which should _not_ be followed, are inside the kit bag. BTW, as of 1/1/2024, the Weasel is out of production. Good thing I'm not teaching this class again next year. # Basic Kit Measurements One should always start any new rocket development by measuring the dimensions and masses of the components of the kit and creating an Open Rocket, Rocksim, or RASAero model to explore stability and motor choices. Fill in the following table (or the [linked spreadsheet](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hUmhmgF5aPyzJKTozyfKBOg9-HTFLiqiVlcKXuMlpdo/copy)) for the components in your rocket kit 1. Nose Cone - Tip-to-shoulder length: - Shoulder-to-base length: - O.D.: - Shoulder O.D.: - Mass: 2. Payload (Forward Body) Tube - Length: - O.D.: - I.D.: - Wall Thickness: - Mass: 3. Coupler Tube - Length: - O.D.: - I.D.: - Wall Thickness: - Mass: 4. Bulkhead (Bulkplate) - Thickness: - O.D.: - I.D.: - Mass: 5. Eyebolt, Washer, and Nut - Mass: 6. Main (Aft) Body Tube - Length: - O.D.: - I.D.: - Wall Thickness: - Mass: 7. Motor Mount Tube - Length: - O.D.: - I.D.: - Wall Thickness: - Mass: 8. Fore (Forward) Centering Ring - Thickness: - O.D.: - I.D.: - Mass: 9. Aft Centering Ring - Thickness: - O.D.: - I.D.: - Mass: 10. Motor Retainer Body (The Inside Part) - Thickness/length: - O.D.: - I.D.: - Depth of motor-mount recess - Mass: 11. Motor Retainer Cap (The Outside Part) - Thickness/length: - O.D.: - I.D.: - Mass: 12. Fins - Root chord length: - Tip chord length: - Sweep length: - Sweep angle: - Semi span: - Mass: 13. Parachute - Diameter: - Shroud line length: - Mass: 14. Chute Protector - Mass: 15. Shock Cord - Length: - Mass: 16. Rail Guides (pair) - For Tube O.D.: - Mass: 17. Launch Lugs (Choose either Rail Guides or Launch Lug) - Tube I.D.: - Tube length - Total Mass: 18. #2 Screws - Mass: If you don't have access to a scale (such as a kitchen scale) and length-measuring implements such as rulers, scales, meter-or-yard sticks, and/or calipers, you may use the attached data to create your model: [Google Sheet of Spjut Data](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iO7R0DWni7LeeOxDI2T0zzMresnumxxS5a2DT6RlUg0/edit?usp=sharing) To complete your model you'll also need the mass of a populated avionics bay. Weigh your avionics assembly or the example model avionics assembly. Use 86 g if you don't have access to the avionics, or you don't have access to a scale. # Assemble the Motor-Tube - Centering-Rings - Shock-Cord Assembly. Assemble the Motor-Tube - Centering-Rings - Shock-Cord Assembly using BSI 5-minute epoxy (JB Weld for motor retainer) and following the relevant steps in the [Weasel Basic Assembly Instructions](../CardboardWeaselRocketAssembly.md.html#motormountassembly). Label your assembly with your name in pencil where it is cleary visible. I will inspect it during the due-date class period and return it to you immediately, so that you can continue with the final assembly in Lab 2. The assembly will be assessed according to the following rubric: Score | Description ------|------------ 5 | Marking lines at the correct position. Components in the correct places and square. Epoxy joints neat and reasonably smooth. All joints mechanically sound. 4 | Marking lines close to the correct position. Components more-or-less in the correct places and more-or-less square. Epoxy joints not too messy. Most joints mechanically sound. 3 | Some marking lines in the wrong position. Some components in the wrong place and/or noticeably tilted. Epoxy joints moderately sloppy possibly with gaps. Some joints mechanically sound. 2 | Most marking lines in the wrong position. Most components in the wrong place and/or noticeably tilted. Epoxy joints sloppy possibly with gaps, some epoxy drips. Few joints mechanically sound. 1 | Marking lines in the wrong position or missing. Serious questions about component placement. Epoxy joints really poor, possibly with gaps, frequent epoxy drips. Serious questions about mechanical integrity. # Assemble the Forward Section The Forward Section or payload/nose cone assembly can be assembled independently from the rest of the rocket. For this section, assemble the Forward Section using BSI 5-minute epoxy, and following the relevant steps in the [Weasel Basic Assembly Instructions](../CardboardWeaselRocketAssembly.md.html#forwardsection). Label your Forward Section with your name in pencil where it is cleary visible. I will inspect it during the due-date class period and return it to you immediately, so that you can continue with the final assembly in Lab 2. The assembly will be assessed according to the following rubric: Score | Description ------|------------ 5 | Threaded holes and altimeter holes in the correct position. Components in the correct places and square. Epoxy joints neat and reasonably smooth. All joints mechanically sound. 4 | Threaded holes and altimeter holes close to the correct position. Components more-or-less in the correct places and more-or-less square. Epoxy joints not too messy. Most joints mechanically sound. 3 | Some threaded holes and/or altimeter holes in the wrong position. Some components in the wrong place and/or noticeably tilted. Epoxy joints moderately sloppy possibly with gaps. Some joints mechanically sound. 2 | Most threaded holes and/or altimeter holes in the wrong position. Most components in the wrong place and/or noticeably tilted. Epoxy joints sloppy possibly with gaps, some epoxy drips. Few joints mechanically sound. 1 | Threaded holes and/or altimeter holes lines in the wrong position or missing. Serious questions about component placement. Epoxy joints really poor, possibly with gaps, frequent epoxy drips. Serious questions about mechanical integrity. # What to Turn In Turn in your completed measurements table on Gradescope. Bring your completed sub-assemblies to the due-date class. I will inspect them during the class period and return them to you immediately, so that you can continue with the final assembly in Lab 2.