Scratch Build – In Progress The Rocket by RandomDesign

Finally, after nearly an eternity I am here with a new build.
This time, Intel approached me to build a new project including the new Rocket Lake CPU.

So here I am, lets start!

Hardware that I got so far:

CPU: Intel I9 11900K
GPU: TBD (3080 hopefully)
Mobo: TBD (ITX)
Memory: Corsair Vengeance RGB 16 GB
SSD: Corsair MP 510 1920GB
PSU: Corsair SF750
Cooling: Corsair Custom-Watercooling

For the design, I looked a little into the game Rocket League and wanted to build something
in the style of the cars used there. I really like the Octane design, so I will go with that.

The timeline for this project is pretty tight, so I chose the most straight forward method for me, that I can do
100% in-house. 3D printing.

First things first, I went into Cinema4D and created my own 3D model of the race car, and prepared it for printing.
I tried to include all the holes for water cooling, mounting etc already in the model.

Here are the first renderings. Wheels will be designed at a later point.

 

ow yeah another 3D printing project!
Looking forward to it

 

So, lets start.

First, I cut the 3D model into printable pieces for my printers. I am going to use a filament printer mostly.
But some of the details will be made on a resin one to save some time in the post processing.

The mod will be made in 3 sections. Outer shell, and two parts for the inner construction that will be assemled
after everything is processed.

So, I simply started at the front and worked my way to the back. All pieces for the outer shell are printed
in ABS. First parts were the left and right front fenders.





After the print I glued the pieces together and did a rough sanding.







The fine tuning and filling will be done at the end after all parts are printed

 

Lets start with the outer shell. At the end it should be easily dettachable
to get access to the hardware more comfortably.

First piece was part of the hood.



Before I glued other pieces on, I made a first pass of sanding.



Looking good so far.



Next up were the back fenders. Unfortunately, my printer is not large enough, so
I had to split all folowing parts down the middle.

 

Good to see you back at it.

 

I know, its been a while

 

This looks coool be sure to send me the g.codes when its done so i can knock one up over night too

 

Oh the joy of sanding 3d prints Always a pain, but so worth it in the end.
Can't wait to see how this build turns out!

 

So the printers are running basically 24/7 at the moment.

For a better connection of the parts, I either added holes for metal rods, or tried to interlock the
pieces before gluing them together.

Here is the front grill. the missing rods will be simply pushed through the bottom holes at the end.







The outer shell is almost done, just a few parts missing.

 

Now the last part for the outer shell for now.
The roof will be attached later, after I finished the inner construction.
That way the roof will hold the entire shell more or less in place.





Then I started with the inner construction which will hold most parts of the water cooling later.
All openings for the screws, radiator, fans and fittings were already added in the 3D model.
I used some small metal rods to perfectly aline the parts and strenghten the glue bond.









At the front, right under the hood, I want to place the pump for the water cooling.
Some parts are looking a little wet. Here I usesd a kicker to insta set the super glue.
Just speeds up the assembly processquite a bit.





Curiouse if everything will fit at the end, in 3D it did

 

Cut the motherboard to fit if it doesn't.

 

Lets keep working on the inner construction.







Now you already can wee were the radiator and the fittings will be placed.
In the middle and at the front end are 4 elevated points were the outer shell will
be connected later one. Only the two points at the back are still missing.

The PSU should be placed over one of the radiator fans, to avoid and side way movement and to add another
anchor point for the outer shell and the Exhaust construction, I build a little mounting.
Everything was secured with glue and metal pins.








And a first test of both parts connected.
Cause the printed parts have a little bit of flex due to the length, I waited until now before
building the roof. Next up, I am temporarily mount both parts together and glue the roof in place.
That way the roof will keep the sides from moving too much and everything will be straight, hopefully

 

I see you are still rockin' the colors. I had a flashback to getting stuff from the ice cream truck.

 

should make a build and print every part in a different color without painting over at the end

 

Next up, I installed the roof parts.
I ended up with a little gap on the front, but I can take care of that later.
Made a first test fit with the inner construction. Seems good so far.





Then I needed a mounting for the GPU and Mobo.







Also test fitted both parts. They will be attached at the end, after everything got painted.
Just makes it easier to work on them at the moment.

 

So, today just a short update.

Now that the outer shell is almost completed, I started work on stabilizing it a little more.
I used some EpoxAcoat from Smooth-on cause its easy to use and adds a nice rigidity to the construction.
In addition you only need a relatively thin layer, just 2-3 mm.



After mixing it was just applied with a brush to the inside. Cause some parts of the inside will be visible later,
I tried to be as smooth as possible. High spots will be sanded down afterwards. One advantage of EpoxAcoat is that
it does not run or drop even from vertical surfaces.





While the epoxy was curing, I mounted the inner and outer parts together, to ensure a
good fit after everything is set. Also I wanted to avoid to get any distortion.
Now I have to wait about 16 hours until its cured.

 

After the EpoxAcoat was cured, I started filling all the gaps on the outside.
For larger gaps and some small remodel work, I use a two part epoxy putty.



After that set, I used typical body filler to smooth out the entire surface.



Currently, I am sanding everything down again and prepare the surface for the spray filler.

 

KREATOR!
Also some A+ craftsmanship, you are a much more patient man than me when it comes to sanding! I'll definitely steal the epoxy trick next time, pure genius.

 

After everything was sanded down again, I started working on the details.
Most of them will be printed in resin. Just makes things a lot easier for post processing.

Started with the lights and bumper.





Every pieces was slightly sanded and then glued together.





Quick test if everything fits.

 

Did you just casually hint you had a resin printer too? I don't remember you mentioning that particular toy.
-Then again, I don't remember a lot of things.
Looks great! Where do you plan to hide the LED wires?