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How to Print & Assemble The RAPTOR-M1

By sysadmin
16th March 2022

How to print the RAPTOR-M1

All of the STL files are really straight forward to print. All you need to do is load them into your slicer software (I use Cura), select your desirable settings (e.g. layer height, infill percentage, etc.) and slice the parts. I used 0.4mm nozzle and 0.2mm layer height to print most parts and 0.1mm layer height to print small parts (e.g. pipes).

Please note: I already saved the STL for each part in the orientation I printed them on my FDM printer. Hence, when you load the STL in your slicer software, you don’t need to orientate them again, unless you want to try to print them in a different orientation.

Below are some tips.

  • All magnet holes can be printed without support regardless of their positions/orientations on the model. Please don’t generate support for these holes (unless you really need to). Otherwise, you may struggle to remove support inside the holes due to restricted access. The easiest way to stop Cura from generating support inside these magnet holes is to use support blocker to cover the holes.

  • The 1:8 scale Raptor Engine model is designed in a unique way that allows you to assemble and disassemble the model into piece part level as every part is held together by magnets. However, if you prefer to glue everything, or some parts, together then you can print a bunch of 5mm Dia Dowel (see STL file in the pack – STEP 10 folder) and use them to help with alignment before gluing parts together.

  • There is an STL in folder ‘STEP 1’ called ‘Raptor Fully Assemble.stl’. If you load this file, you’ll see the fully assembled Raptor model. This will help you understand where each and every part is fitted on the model.

  • This model is designed at 1:8 scale and I highly recommend you to print at this scale to achieve the highest quality. However, it can also be printed at 1:12 scale if you want a smaller model. All you have to do is scale down every part to 66.66%. Also, you’ll need to use a smaller magnet 3mm dia x 2mm thick N42 Neodymium (LINK)

  • You only need to print 1-off for every part of this model. The only 3 parts that you need 2-off are: Gimbal Strut, Gimbal Arm, and Tank Pressurisation Valve.

  • The LOX Intake and the two Gimbal Brackets are all printed together. If you load the ‘LOX Intake & Gimbal Brackets.stl’, you’ll see they load together as a sub-assembly. Just slide and print them together. Once printed, rotate the Gimbal Brackets to free up the joints.

  • There are 4 Tapoff Film Cooling Pipes in total (2 per side). You will find the pipes on the LH side only in the pack, simply mirror them to get the ones on the RH side

How to assemble this model?

So now you’ve got all your parts printed? Great! Let’s assemble the model! I’ll take you through the assembly process step by step but before that, you need to purchase some items:

  • 5mm dia x 3mm thick N42 Neodymium magnets (LINK) | Qty: 87-off
  • Super glue (LINK) | Qty: 1 bottle

STEP 1: ‘Dry’ assemble the model

At this step, all I want you to do is try to stack all the parts together to get a good understanding of where they are located. Because there are a lot of magnets you need to fit during the assembly process, doing this first step will give you an idea of how to fit the magnets in each part correctly.

Please use the ‘Raptor Fully Assemble.stl’ and the photos below if required.

Front View
Left View
Right View
Back View

STEP 2: Assemble the Thrust Gimbal

Parts required (refer to the photos below)

  • 1x Engine Mount (a)
  • 1x Gimbal Hinge (b)
  • 1x LOX Intake & Gimbal Brackets (c)
  • 3x Magnets (5mm dia x 3mm thick) (highlighted in RED)

Assembly process

  1. Press fit 3 magnets into their locations on LOX Intake (use super glue if needed)
  2. Press fit Gimbal Hinge to LOX Intake
  3. Press fit Engine Mount to Gimbal Hinge

Note: At the end of this Step, the Engine Mount should be able to pivot side by side/ backward and forward in relation to the LOX Intake.

STEP 2a
STEP 2b

STEP 3: Assemble the Engine Core of the Raptor

Parts required (refer to the photos below)

  • 1x LOX Turbopump (a)
  • 1x Mixing Chamber (b)
  • 1x Combustion Chamber (c)
  • 1x CH4 Turbopump (d)
  • 1x CH4 Preburner (e)
  • 1x Long Pin (f)
  • 1x Short Pin (g)
  • 45x Magnets (5mm dia x 3mm thick) (highlighted in RED)

Assembly process

  1. Press fit 8 magnets into their locations on LOX Turbopump (use super glue if needed)
  2. Press fit 16 magnets into their locations on Mixing Chamber (use super glue if needed)
  3. Press fit 11 magnets into their locations on Combustion Chamber (use super glue if needed)
  4. Press fit 5 magnets into their locations on CH4 Turbopump (use super glue if needed)
  5. Press fit 5 magnets into their locations on CH4 Preburner (use super glue if needed)
  6. Assemble all the parts above together, ensure that they are aligned correctly.
STEP 3
LOX Turbopump
Mixing Chamber
Combustion Chamber
CH4 Turbopump
CH4 Preburner

STEP 4: Assemble Thrust Gimbal and Nozzle to Engine Core

Parts required (refer to the photos below)

  • 1x Thrust Gimbal from STEP 2 (a)
  • 1x Engine Core from STEP 3 (b)
  • 1x Nozzle (c)
  • 6x Magnets (5mm dia x 3mm thick) (highlighted in RED)

Assembly process

  1. Press fit 6 magnets into their locations on Nozzle (use super glue if needed)
  2. Assemble Thrust Gimbal to Engine Core
  3. Assemble Nozzle to sub-assembly above
Nozzle
STEP 4
STEP 4

STEP 5: Assemble Gimbal Arms and Struts

Parts required (refer to the photos below)

  • 2x Gimbal Arm (a)
  • 2x Gimbal Strut (b)

Assembly process

  1. Press fit Gimbal Struts to Gimbal Arms
  2. Press fit Gimbal Arms to Engine Core
Gimbal Arms & Struts
STEP 5

STEP 6: Assemble CH4 Turbopump Intake Pipe

Parts required (refer to the photos below)

  • 1x CH4 Turbopump Intake Pipe
  • 1x CH4 Turbopump Intake Pipe (Joint)
  • 1x CH4 Turbopump Intake Pipe (Extension)
  • 7x Magnets (5mm dia x 3mm thick) (highlighted in RED)

Assembly process

  1. Press fit 2 magnets into their locations on CH4 Turbopump Intake Pipe (use super glue if needed)
  2. Press fit 3 magnets into their locations on CH4 Turbopump Intake Pipe (Joint) (use super glue if needed)
  3. Press fit 2 magnets into their locations on CH4 Turbopump Intake Pipe (Extension) (use super glue if needed)
  4. Assemble the full CH4 Turbopump Intake Pipe
  5. Assemble the CH4 Turbopump Intake Pipe to the Engine
CH4 Turbopump Intake Pipe
CH4 Turbopump Intake Pipe (Joint)
CH4 Turbopump Intake Pipe (Extension)
STEP 6

STEP 7: Assemble Tapoff Film Cooling Pipes and Fuel Inlet Valve

Parts required (refer to the photos below)

  • 1x Tapoff Film Cooling Pipe_A_LH (a)
  • 1x Tapoff Film Cooling Pipe_B_LH (b)
  • 1x Tapoff Film Cooling Pipe_A_RH (c) *
  • 1x Tapoff Film Cooling Pipe_B_RH (d) *
  • 1x Fuel Inlet Valve
  • 11x Magnets (5mm dia x 3mm thick) (highlighted in RED)

Please note: There are 4 Tapoff Film Cooling Pipes in total (2 per side). You will find the pipes on the LH side only in the pack, simply mirror them to get the ones on the RH side

Assembly process

  1. Press fit 2 magnets into their locations on each of the Tapoff Film Cooling Pipe (use super glue if needed)
  2. Press fit 3 magnets into their locations on Fuel Inlet Valve (use super glue if needed)
  3. Assemble all 4 Tapoff Film Cooling Pipes on Engine
  4. Assemble Fuel Inlet Valve on Engine
Tapoff Film Cooling Pipes
Fuel Inlet Valve
STEP 7
STEP 7

STEP 8: Assemble LOX Distribution Valve, CH4 to LOX and LOX to CH4 Turbopump Pipes

Parts required (refer to the photos below)

  • 1x LOX Valve (a)
  • 1x LOX Distribution Valve (b)
  • 1x LOX to CH4 Turbopump Pipe (1st half) (c)
  • 1x LOX to CH4 Turbopump Pipe (2nd half) (d)
  • 1x CH4 to LOX Turbopump Pipe (1st half)
  • 7x Magnets (5mm dia x 3mm thick) (highlighted in RED)

Assembly process

  1. Press fit 3 magnets into their locations on LOX Valve (use super glue if needed)
  2. Glue LOX valve (a) to LOX Distribution Valve (b)
  3. Press fit 1 magnet into its locations on LOX to CH4 Turbopump Pipe (1st half) and 1 magnet to the 2nd half (use super glue if needed)
  4. Press fit 2 magnets into their locations on CH4 to LOX Turbopump Pipe (use super glue if needed)
  5. Assemble all the Pipes above to Engine Core
LOX Distribution Valve
LOX to CH4 Turbopump (1st half)
LOX to CH4 Turbopump (2nd half)
CH4 to LOX Turbopump
STEP 8
STEP 8
STEP 8

STEP 9: Assemble Tank Pressurisation Valves and CH4/LOX Tank Pressurisation Pipes

Parts required (refer to the photos below)

  • 2x Tank Pressurisation Valves
  • 1x LOX Tank Pressurisation Pipe
  • 1x CH4 Tank Pressurisation Pipe
  • 6x Magnets (5mm dia x 3mm thick) (highlighted in RED)

Assembly process

  1. Press fit 1 magnet into its location on each of the Tank Pressurisation Valve (use super glue if needed)
  2. Clip the 2 Tank Pressurisation Valves onto Engine
  3. Press fit 2 magnets into their locations on LOX Tank Pressurisation Pipe (use super glue if needed)
  4. Press fit 2 magnets into their locations on CH4 Tank Pressurisation Pipe (use super glue if needed)
  5. Assemble the Pipes above to Engine
Tank Pressurisation Valve
STEP 9
LOX Pressurisation Pipe
CH4 Pressurisation Pipe
STEP 9
STEP 9

STEP 10: Assemble Fuel Intake Pipe

Parts required (refer to the photos below)

  • 1x Fuel Intake Pipe
  • 2x Magnets (5mm dia x 3mm thick) (highlighted in RED)

Assembly process

  1. Press fit 2 magnets (just stack them on top of each other) into its location inside the Fuel Intake Pipe (use super glue if needed)
  2. Assemble to Fuel Intake Pipe to Engine
Fuel Intake Pipe
STEP 10
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