Fin Sets Basics - Revision history

Neilw: /* Supported Fin Sets */

2022-02-28T21:19:34Z

Supported Fin Sets

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:19, 28 February 2022
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	== Supported Fin Sets ==		== Supported Fin Sets ==

	~~<p>~~Fins serve to stabilize a model rocket while in flight, and to guide the rocket on a safe and an intended trajectory. Most rockets, without the stabilizing forces acting on the fins, would tumble in midair soon after clearing the launch guide. Aside from their aerodynamic factors, fins are often what gives your rocket the character that others remember.~~</p>~~		Fins serve to stabilize a model rocket while in flight, and to guide the rocket on a safe and an intended trajectory. Most rockets, without the stabilizing forces acting on the fins, would tumble in midair soon after clearing the launch guide. Aside from their aerodynamic factors, fins are often what gives your rocket the character that others remember.

	<table class="left">		<table class="left">

Neilw: /* Limited Support and Unsupported Fin Sets */

2022-02-28T21:18:07Z

Limited Support and Unsupported Fin Sets

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:18, 28 February 2022
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	=== Ring Tail Fins ===		=== Ring Tail Fins ===

	~~<p><b>~~Warning:~~</b> <i><u>~~OpenRocket lacks native support for Ring Tails~~</u></i>~~.~~</p>~~		'''Warning:OpenRocket lacks native support for Ring Tails.'''

	~~<p>~~You can use an inner tube to model the appearance of the ring and ~~<i>~~calculate Center of Gravity~~</i>~~, but ~~<u>~~it will not be factored into aerodynamic calculations~~</u>~~ (including the Center of Pressure)~~.</p>~~		You can use an inner tube to model the appearance of the ring and calculate Center of Gravity, but it will not be factored into aerodynamic calculations (including the Center of Pressure), and ''therefore the simulation results will not be accurate.''

	~~<p><i>The <u>simulated~~ results ~~with ring tail fins <b>~~will not be accurate~~</b></u></i>~~.~~</p>~~

	=== Grid Fins ===		=== Grid Fins ===

	~~<p><b>~~Warning:~~</b> <i><u>~~OpenRocket lacks native support for Grid Fins~~</u></i>~~.~~</p>~~		'''Warning: OpenRocket lacks native support for Grid Fins.'''

	<p>Fins, generally speaking, are aerodynamic control surfaces. Where grid fins differ from other fins is that they are not essentially just flat surfaces, but more of a frame with a grid inside. Usually made of metal (such as aluminum), not only can grid fins be light, they can be very strong (the very thin, spaced grid surfaces don’t generate much drag). Although OpenRocket doesn’t support grid fins as a single component, the pod and fin set components can be used to create them.</p>

	~~<p><i>The <u>simulated results with~~ grid fins ~~<b>have~~ not~~</b> been verified</u> and <b>should~~ not be ~~relied upon</b> <u>without actual flight test verification~~ and ~~<b>Cd adjustments</b> of your own</u></i>~~.~~</p>~~		Fins, generally speaking, are aerodynamic control surfaces. Where grid fins differ from other fins is that they are not essentially just flat surfaces, but more of a frame with a grid inside. Usually made of metal (such as aluminum), not only can grid fins be light, they can be very strong (the very thin, spaced grid surfaces don’t generate much drag). Although OpenRocket doesn’t support grid fins as a single component, the pod and fin set components can be used to create them.

	~~<br>~~		The simulated results with grid fins have not been verified and ''should not be relied upon'' without actual flight test verification and Cd adjustments of your own.

	----		----

Hcraigmiller: /* Limited Support and Unsupported Fin Sets */

2022-02-25T02:03:59Z

Limited Support and Unsupported Fin Sets

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:03, 25 February 2022
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	<p>You can use an inner tube to model the appearance of the ring and <i>calculate Center of Gravity</i>, but <u>it will not be factored into aerodynamic calculations</u> (including the Center of Pressure).</p>		<p>You can use an inner tube to model the appearance of the ring and <i>calculate Center of Gravity</i>, but <u>it will not be factored into aerodynamic calculations</u> (including the Center of Pressure).</p>

	<p><i>The <u>simulated results with ring tail fins <b>will not be accurate</b>.</p>		<p><i>The <u>simulated results with ring tail fins <b>will not be accurate</b></u></i>.</p>

	=== Grid Fins ===		=== Grid Fins ===

Hcraigmiller: /* Ring Tail Fins */

2022-02-24T21:34:44Z

Ring Tail Fins

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:34, 24 February 2022
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	<p>You can use an inner tube to model the appearance of the ring and <i>calculate Center of Gravity</i>, but <u>it will not be factored into aerodynamic calculations</u> (including the Center of Pressure).</p>		<p>You can use an inner tube to model the appearance of the ring and <i>calculate Center of Gravity</i>, but <u>it will not be factored into aerodynamic calculations</u> (including the Center of Pressure).</p>

	<p><i>The <u>simulated results with ring tail fins <b>~~have not</b> been verified</u> and <b>should~~ not be ~~relied upon</b> <u>without actual flight test verification and <b>Cd adjustments~~</b~~> of your own</u></i~~>.</p>		<p><i>The <u>simulated results with ring tail fins <b>will not be accurate</b>.</p>

	=== Grid Fins ===		=== Grid Fins ===

Hcraigmiller: /* Ring Tail Fins */

2022-02-24T21:26:54Z

Ring Tail Fins

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:26, 24 February 2022
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	<p>You can use an inner tube to model the appearance of the ring and <i>calculate Center of Gravity</i>, but <u>it will not be factored into aerodynamic calculations</u> (including the Center of Pressure).</p>		<p>You can use an inner tube to model the appearance of the ring and <i>calculate Center of Gravity</i>, but <u>it will not be factored into aerodynamic calculations</u> (including the Center of Pressure).</p>

	<p><i>The <u>simulated results with ~~grid~~ fins <b>have not</b> been verified</u> and <b>should not be relied upon</b> <u>without actual flight test verification and <b>Cd adjustments</b> of your own</u></i>.</p>		<p><i>The <u>simulated results with ring tail fins <b>have not</b> been verified</u> and <b>should not be relied upon</b> <u>without actual flight test verification and <b>Cd adjustments</b> of your own</u></i>.</p>

	=== Grid Fins ===		=== Grid Fins ===

Hcraigmiller at 21:23, 24 February 2022

2022-02-24T21:23:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:23, 24 February 2022
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	<p><b>Warning:</b> <i><u>OpenRocket lacks native support for Ring Tails</u></i>.</p>		<p><b>Warning:</b> <i><u>OpenRocket lacks native support for Ring Tails</u></i>.</p>

	<p>You can use an ~~Inner Tube~~ to model the appearance of the ring and <i>calculate Center of Gravity</i>, but <u>it will not be factored into aerodynamic calculations</u> (including the Center of Pressure). You can also use a Body Tube to model the appearance of the ring (placing it at the aft-end of the component it visually surrounds) and <i>calculate Center of Gravity</i>, but <u>it will not be correctly factored into aerodynamic calculations</u> (including the Center of Pressure).</p>		<p>You can use an inner tube to model the appearance of the ring and <i>calculate Center of Gravity</i>, but <u>it will not be factored into aerodynamic calculations</u> (including the Center of Pressure).</p>

	<p><i>~~OpenRocket does~~ not ~~support~~ and ~~simply~~ <b>~~WILL NOT~~</b> ~~accurately simulate ring tail fins~~</u></i></b> ~~at this time~~.</p>		<p><i>The <u>simulated results with grid fins <b>have not</b> been verified</u> and <b>should not be relied upon</b> <u>without actual flight test verification and <b>Cd adjustments</b> of your own</u></i>.</p>

	=== Grid Fins ===		=== Grid Fins ===

Hcraigmiller at 20:21, 24 February 2022

2022-02-24T20:21:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:21, 24 February 2022
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	=== Ring Tail Fins ===		=== Ring Tail Fins ===

	<p>Although ring tail fins can easily be visually added to an OpenRocket model using a body tube, there's a catch, the ring tail must start at the exact aft-end of the component it visually surrounds, and the fins must trail to support it; this is because external airframe components in OpenRocket follow a strict linear pattern. You can also easily visually simulate a ring tail virtually at any point up or down the airframe using an inner tube. But, again, there’s a catch, inner tubes are aerodynamically ignored. <i>~~OpenRocket does not support and simply~~ <b>~~WILL NOT~~</b> ~~accurately simulate ring tail fins~~</u></i></b> ~~at this time~~.</p>		<p><b>Warning:</b> <i><u>OpenRocket lacks native support for Ring Tails</u></i>.</p>

	~~For~~ a ~~more detailed discussion about Ring Tail Fins~~, ~~go to [[Advanced Rocket Design]]~~		<p>You can use an Inner Tube to model the appearance of the ring and <i>calculate Center of Gravity</i>, but <u>it will not be factored into aerodynamic calculations</u> (including the Center of Pressure). You can also use a Body Tube to model the appearance of the ring (placing it at the aft-end of the component it visually surrounds) and <i>calculate Center of Gravity</i>, but <u>it will not be correctly factored into aerodynamic calculations</u> (including the Center of Pressure).</p>

			<p><i>OpenRocket does not support and simply <b>WILL NOT</b> accurately simulate ring tail fins</u></i></b> at this time.</p>

	=== Grid Fins ===		=== Grid Fins ===

	<p>Fins, generally speaking, are aerodynamic control surfaces. Where grid fins differ from other fins is that they are not essentially just flat surfaces, but more of a frame with a grid inside. Usually made of metal (such as aluminum), not only can grid fins be light, they can be very strong (the very thin, spaced grid surfaces don’t generate much drag). Although OpenRocket doesn’t ~~directly~~ support grid fins as a single component, ~~you can use~~ the pod and fin set components can be used to create them~~; however,~~ <i>~~the~~ <u>simulated results with grid fins <b>have not</b> been verified</u> and <b>should not be relied upon</b> <u>without actual flight test verification and <b>Cd adjustments</b> of your own</u></i>.</p>		<p><b>Warning:</b> <i><u>OpenRocket lacks native support for Grid Fins</u></i>.</p>

			<p>Fins, generally speaking, are aerodynamic control surfaces. Where grid fins differ from other fins is that they are not essentially just flat surfaces, but more of a frame with a grid inside. Usually made of metal (such as aluminum), not only can grid fins be light, they can be very strong (the very thin, spaced grid surfaces don’t generate much drag). Although OpenRocket doesn’t support grid fins as a single component, the pod and fin set components can be used to create them.</p>

			<p><i>The <u>simulated results with grid fins <b>have not</b> been verified</u> and <b>should not be relied upon</b> <u>without actual flight test verification and <b>Cd adjustments</b> of your own</u></i>.</p>

	<br>		<br>

Hcraigmiller at 18:07, 24 February 2022

2022-02-24T18:07:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:07, 24 February 2022
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	<tr>		<tr>
	<td>'''[[File:Components.02.06.Body-Fin.Freeform.png\|left\|frameless\|100 px\|center]]'''</td>		<td>'''[[File:Components.02.06.Body-Fin.Freeform.png\|left\|frameless\|100 px\|center]]'''</td>
	<td><p><b>Freeform Fins:</b> What a freeform fin is almost speaks for itself. In the fin shape editor, on the left you have a table for horizontal and vertical points and on the right a grid. You can either manually type in the points or use a mouse and click on the grid, or both. The number of points (for all intents and purposes) is unlimited. You can essentially “put on paper” so to speak, whatever you can think of.</p></td>		<td><p><b>Freeform Fins:</b> What a freeform fin is almost speaks for itself. In the fin shape editor, on the left you have a table for horizontal and vertical points and on the right a grid. You can either manually type in the points or use a mouse and click on the grid, or both. The number of points (for all intents and purposes) is unlimited. You can essentially “put on paper” so to speak, whatever you can think of. And, <i>one of the best time-saving features, <u>you can import a fin pattern from an image file</u></i>.</p></td>
	</tr>		</tr>
	<tr>		<tr>

Hcraigmiller at 17:41, 24 February 2022

2022-02-24T17:41:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:41, 24 February 2022
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	<tr>		<tr>
	<td></td>		<td></td>
	<td>Look closely at the tube fins and you'll see another new OpenRocket feature, the ability to have different colors (and decals) on the inside and outside of the tube fins. And, you can ~~also~~ choose whether the tube edge is the same color as the inside or outside of the tube fins.</p><p><i>Be careful</i> using tube fins, they are still classified in OpenRocket as expeimental; and OpenRocket gives you a warning to that effect in the display</td>		<td>Look closely at the tube fins and you'll see another new OpenRocket feature, the ability to have different colors (and decals) on the inside and outside of the tube fins. And, you can even choose whether the tube edge is the same color as the inside or outside of the tube fins.</p><p><i>Be careful</i> using tube fins, they are still classified in OpenRocket as expeimental; and OpenRocket gives you a warning to that effect in the display</td>
	</tr>		</tr>
	</table>		</table>

Hcraigmiller at 17:40, 24 February 2022

2022-02-24T17:40:55Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:40, 24 February 2022
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	<tr>		<tr>
	<td></td>		<td></td>
	<td><i>Be careful</i> using tube fins, they are still classified in OpenRocket as expeimental; and OpenRocket gives you ~~than~~ warning in the display</td>		<td>Look closely at the tube fins and you'll see another new OpenRocket feature, the ability to have different colors (and decals) on the inside and outside of the tube fins. And, you can also choose whether the tube edge is the same color as the inside or outside of the tube fins.</p><p><i>Be careful</i> using tube fins, they are still classified in OpenRocket as expeimental; and OpenRocket gives you a warning to that effect in the display</td>
	</tr>		</tr>
	</table>		</table>