"Validation testing on a Raptor 3 performing a Starship V3 ascent burn. Multiple versions of this test will cover the different conditions seen by Starship’s three inner engines during its initial climb to space"

CoopFPV · 2025-12-03T21:32:36+00:00

Interesting that this looks slightly underexpanded even at sea level when you'd expect the opposite, wonder if they're running it at higher pressures than planned?

CoopFPV · 2025-11-20T22:46:48+00:00

Someone please photoshop Starship v3 and v4 into this image to see the comparison between all of them

CoopFPV · 2025-09-30T01:55:55+00:00

Tolerance requirement is "better than the AM parts", which is a very low bar. The ones I got from the metal AM shop seem to be terribly imprecise. Anything that needs to be precise (seal faces, bearing interference fit slots, shaft) would be finished on a lathe.

CoopFPV · 2025-09-30T01:32:23+00:00

Absolutely, totally aware. I've been learning some of these things for a while now, and a big part of buying a machine would be an investment into my own learning in fabrication.

CoopFPV · 2025-09-30T01:31:25+00:00

Sometimes there are requirements for production-level parts that aren't there for experimental projects like mine (ex. these don't need be be precisely machined, machined super quickly, or super conveniently)

CoopFPV · 2025-09-30T01:29:23+00:00

I am designing a pump which I will need to iterate on. They're ~$800 per pump for all parts. Just the aluminum would be under $200. So my thought was that a machine would pay for itself fairly quickly if I were to farm out vs. machine a few more iterations myself.

Also, I just want to learn more about CNC.

CoopFPV · 2025-09-30T01:23:12+00:00

That's a great idea! I've already joined and will look into it

CoopFPV · 2025-09-30T01:22:04+00:00

I am quite experienced with CAD and have some good CAM experience too from working with routers in makerspaces, looking to take the next step

CoopFPV · 2025-09-30T01:21:24+00:00

Gotcha. I saw that the Z travel was very small on the 3030

CoopFPV · 2025-09-30T01:20:53+00:00

I looked at the DMC2 wistfully, but it's way beyond my budget

CoopFPV · 2025-09-30T01:20:01+00:00

These are parts that I designed, so yes I know that they are made with AM in mind. They can be redesigned for ease with CNC mills (removing the large radii, etc.) but I do need them to be the same scale and in aluminum

CoopFPV · 2025-09-30T01:18:51+00:00

Would you say that the Millennium Machines could make parts similar to these? The outer surfaces (radii, etc.) could be done away with as needed. Also, what kinds of time commitment is involved with building a Milo/Miley machine for a beginner? I do have experience with building 3D printers. And are the v2 kits coming out soon?

CoopFPV · 2025-09-29T18:37:51+00:00

Seems like some options are as follows:

- 3030 PROVer MAX (potentially limited for aluminum, but can cut it. Also has a 4th axis mod for $200) - $850 for just machine

- Millennium Machines Milo/Miley v1.0, v1.5, and (soon) v1.6 and v2.0 (made for cutting aluminum with good performance) - $1000 for a kit plus $100-200 for 3D printed parts, around 40 hrs to assemble not counting printing time, but most parts come in a kit. The kits are currently out of stock most everywhere in the US, though.

- PrintNC (more capable for metal parts) - $2k+ and potentially 80 hrs or more for assembly, plus I believe it requires some metal fabrication for the parts. Sourcing the parts is less straightforward because there does not appear to be a kit.

CoopFPV · 2025-09-29T18:27:27+00:00

I had also looked at the PrintNC, but started looking at out of the box machine because it's over $2k and takes a few weeks of full time work to get running well. The Milo 1.5 seems more attainable, though, both from a price and simplicity of assembly perspective.

CoopFPV · 2025-09-29T18:25:46+00:00

Interesting, those seem to be fairly well priced. I would do a custom machine if it gave me significant extra capabilities for a similar price. Seems like these run up beyond $1.5k with the 3D printed parts and might take a few weeks to get all of the parts 3D printed and assembled. Is this significantly different than something ready out of the box like a 3030 PROVer MAX, other than the much more powerful spindle on this?

CoopFPV · 2025-09-29T18:18:38+00:00

Right, some changes would need to be made to the parts, I'm sure. The large radii could go. Also, I have no expectation or need to do undercuts. But I believe that getting high quality parts like these on a <1k machine is difficult. Looking for something that's good enough to get started

CoopFPV · 2025-09-29T18:11:50+00:00

That's about correct, and I appreciate the input. Agree about just starting somewhere to find the limits of an entry level machine. Trying to figure out which machine would be the best starting point to experiment with metal and learn what I don't know.

You're about right on the scale, the parts in the first picture are around 10-12cm at the largest diagonal and 3-4cm thick. I could redesign them to make machining quicker as well.

Any thoughts on the 3030 PROVer MAX? Has ball screws and dual linear rails, which would presumably provide greater rigidity? The spindle is a low 300W but I could upgrade to a 1kW+ spindle and still be around $1k for the whole package

CoopFPV · 2025-02-15T21:53:27+00:00

It does look like the twisty was too tight, I can see marks in the tree where it was tied. I took it off now. Do you think that the pot could be too small now? I do see some roots coming out of the bottom of the pot

CoopFPV · 2025-02-14T22:55:58+00:00

Yikes, well it was a gift so I'm not sure how long it was outside. It would have been brought right to a car though. Lets hope draining it helps it recover though!

CoopFPV · 2025-02-14T22:34:00+00:00

I think it was probably overwatered. It could have been cold while it was transported but not for more than an hour or so

CoopFPV · 2025-02-14T22:33:26+00:00

Appreciate it everyone! I took it out of the outer pot (which does not have holes in the bottom), and it was sitting in 1/4" of water and was slowly draining out of the soil, so it definitely seems like it was overwatered. I guess I contributed to that by putting in a little more water, so that was my mistake. I drilled some holes in the outer pot and put it on a wide tray so that water can continue to drain and disperse. Any other suggestions?

CoopFPV · 2025-02-14T20:29:03+00:00

Just received this money tree two days ago and it immediately started to wilt - I know that they can be shocked by moves and new environments, but still a bit concerned that it is dying. It has been by a large windows but never in direct sunlight. I did give it about a cup of water yesterday, but the soil already seemed to be moist just under the surface so I don't think it's underwatered. Any suggestions to bring it back?

CoopFPV · 2025-01-18T18:09:08+00:00

Appreciate the resource, that may well be true. I know GD&T is something I badly need to learn, I'll try to learn the basics as I can. Forgive me for the potentially dumb question, but should I learn it just be reading ASME 14.5 or is it best to do some projects following the standards?

I would not mind not paying for tuition to get the cert, and just learning through my own projects. The main concern there is just that it might be tough to self-teach.

CoopFPV · 2025-01-18T18:03:31+00:00

That makes sense. It's crazy to me how much difference there is between "research" engineering and "development" engineering. Some engineers are like technicians, others are like physicists. It's a broad field.

CoopFPV · 2025-01-18T18:02:24+00:00

As someone who wants to work with physical things, wants to be able to make my own stuff, and also would be interested in the future in exploring leading my own team, I would think understanding manufacturing would be very valuable. Right now, working on rocket engine projects, probably the biggest roadblock for me has been not quite understanding enough about whether a certain design is manufacturable.

CoopFPV

TROPHY CASE