Rocket Lab Electron with Launch Pad 1:144 Scale

Rocket Lab's Electron rocket with launch pad that has movable arms and strongback.

Models were designed at 1:144 scale but printing them at 1:100 scale works well, simply scale your model to 144% of the original size. 

Designed to be printed with a multicolour 3D printer, the images were all printed on a Prusa XL.

Printing tips:

• Print electron with a brim and supports for improved stability. 

• 1:144 scale prints well at both 0.15 and 0.2mm layer height

  • 1:144 models in image were printed at 0.15mm layer height and 1:100 model was printed with 0.2mm layer height.

• Lay the strongback on the back face for printing

• Recommend tree/organic supports on build plate only for the launch mount. May need to use paint on supports. Print in normal orientation.

• Print railings separately and assembly with glue.

  • The railings are pretty loose when scaled to 1:100 scale but a bit of glue keeps them upright

• I used a variety of techniques to colour the standard Electron into the other configurations. Using the "Height range" technique to colour certain sections was very useful to get the frost and red on the catch attempt booster. Then use "Bucket fill" to colour the necessary parts to their correct colours.

• Reference the included PrusaSlicer project for example colours and print orientations. 

Assembly:

• Strongback and arms should be assembled first. This is a very tight fit but you should feel a little pop when you get it in place. You'll know when it becomes really hard to pull them out. 

• Strongback is press fit into the launch mount and should swing freely once assembled.

  • Close the arms around Electron to keep the strong back in the upright position.

• At 1:144 scale, the railings were pretty snug, but I recommend using a bit of glue. I dropped a puddle of glue onto a piece of cardboard and dipped the bottom of the railing into the glue to keep the glue contained.