https://umaine.edu/news/2026/05/future-engineers-launch-3d-printed-model-rockets-at-umaine-competition/

Here's a wonderful article about a program being conducted by Dr. Ahmed Aboelezz, a UMaine assistant professor of mechanical engineering, about how he is working with high school students using our launcher to get them to consider a future in engineering.

Article written by Story by William Bickford, graduate student writer.

Rick and I were asked to be guests on the "Over Coffee Podcast" hosted by Dot Cannon, which can be found on her website here: 

https://twomaverix.com/?p=32230

We discuss being Makers, the founding of the business 10 years ago, and how important STEAM education is for all kids.

December 2024, we have added a new product to our website store:

1. Bauer Box Adapters

   1. This option is an easy retrofit to allow the Deluxe Launcher to be mounted to the top of the modular "Bauer Boxes" Available at Harbor Freight.

   2. This option includes 4 plastic foot spacers, two red extendible plastic adapters, two Ø1/4" x 6" long stainless steel rods and 4 M5 x 30mm long philips head screws.  It does not include the Bauer boxes, deluxe launcher or Milwaukee tire inflator shown in the images to the left.

   3. Makes it easy to store the launcher in the bottom wheeled box, and organize all the rocket building components you need, especially if you travel.

   4. Plenty of expandable storage for everything rocket related.

   5. Start with a Bauer wheeled large box base, found at the link below or at your local Harbor Freight: https://www.harborfreight.com/modular-rolling-toolbox-58512.html

   6. Add as many large or small modular Bauer boxes found links below or at your local Harbor Freight: https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-storage-organization/tool-boxes-bags-belts/large-modular-toolbox-58511.html https://www.harborfreight.com/tool-storage-organization/tool-boxes-bags-belts/small-modular-toolbox-58510.html

   7. Stack up the boxes and lock them together,  then extend the adapters from under the launcher and lock it to the top box to make a stable and portable launching platform.

You can find this new product on our Shopify store at this link:

Air Rocket Works Shopify Store

August 2024, we are adding a new product to our website store:

1. The new Deluxe CAR v3.0 System

   1. This option includes the CAR v3.0 shown below, with plastic base and protractor.

   2. It adds a large stable base plate with rubber feet

   3. It adds a BRB (Big Red Button) that is connected to the base plate with a strong magnet

   4. Mounting holes for the Pressure Regulator & Gauge accessory shown below.

You can find this new product on our Shopify store at this link:

Air Rocket Works Shopify Store

September 15th, 2023, we are adding two new products to our website store:

1. The new Compressed Air Rocket laucher v3.0

   1. It uses the same proven pneumatic parts as our previous versions

   2. The base has changed from plywood to solid machined plastic

   3. We integrated a protractor into the base - no need for the accessory anymore

   4. The pneumatic parts now come preassembled and pressure tested for quicker and easier assembly, no tools required!

2. The new Pressure Regulator & Gauge accessory

   1. Connects inline between the pump and launcher

   2. Regulates pressure to be consistent from launch to launch, great for competetions and studying ballistic trajectories

You can find both new products on our Shopify store at this link:

Air Rocket Works Shopify Store

One of our customers, Cal Leggett, has had fun designing and 3D printing all kinds of cool rockets and  accessories.  

• I especially like the "Booster Rockets" that carries other toys skyward. 

• The 3D printable arms to hold the ARG wings before launch are more elegant that the bent wire version we have used over the years.  

• The glow stick rockets are especially fun at dusk.

You can find these cool designs here:

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5166183

Be sure to like and follow Cal on thingiverse to check out his other slick designs.

Our latest products are now available through the store at MAKE.co as of June 2020!

Watch MAKE Magazine and MAKE Community for upcoming articles!

I wanted to post an update about the exhibit that Ryan Leonard and I designed and built for the SEE Science Center as Ryan’s Eagle Scout project back in September of 2016.  The exhibit is holding up well, with only a few adjustments, a couple replacement rockets, and some routine pump service.  One thing that I was very curious to discover was how much do our launchers get used?  How many launches before the pumps need service?  How many launches before I have to replace the rockets?  How durable are our standard* launchers?

To answer all of these questions, a way to count the number of launches over time was required.  To design the counter, I started where I usually do – my “inventory” in my basement.  I found I had a couple of suitable pressure switches – one per launcher, four push to connect tube fittings, a couple Tee fittings, along with a digital counter.  I designed around the parts I had available to create a housing for the pressure sensors & the digital counter, and came up with the little red 3D printed housing pictured above on the lower right of the image, and seen between the two launchers.  The counter has a built in lithium battery and will last 5+ years, so simply connecting a pressure actuated switch that increments the count when the pressure drops during each launch does the trick.  No external power source required, no concern about loosing power, I like simplicity & reliability.

The counter was installed on January 25th, 2018, and as of Tuesday, May 21st 2019, has tallied 31,571 launches!   That’s an average of 65 launches per day!  So, extrapolating back to September of 2016, roughly 550 days before the counter was installed, that means these two launchers have over 67,000 launches between them!  I love good data.  For reference, the rockets last about a year as well.  They were still functional, but were looking a bit "tired".  The launchers are 100% original.  The only service done to these launchers was a cleaning of the QEV, as the original (non-Lezyne pumps) rapidly deteriorated and debris was pumped through the launchers internals.  They were thoroughly cleaned, and put back into service the same day.

I also wanted to thank Lezyne for their donation of service parts and seal kits for the pumps in return for some data on how well the pumps hold up to dealing with thousands of kids using them every year.  For reference, these standard Lezyne floor pumps have lasted an incredible 16 months at the hands of thousands of elementary school aged children.  A quick rebuild to change the o-ring seal, and they are back in business.

*The launchers use all of the standard components as our CAR v2.2 launcher, with a couple additions; they are bolted down to the floor to allow the tensioning of the guide wires, the launch tube is customized to clamp the guide wire, a pressure gauge was added in place of the over-pressure valve – which was relocated under the control panel, and the rocket nose and fins are custom designed & 3D printed with built in wire guides but use our standard ABS body tubes.

We wanted to announce that Explo, a repeat customer, are adding to the number of our Compressed Air Rocket launchers that they use with their STEAM camps, to prepare for the summer camp season.   They have used the launchers for several events, both indoors and outdoors, with a wide range of ages.

Check out the clever custom stand that Dave Hamilton, Creative Director, and Director of the EXPLO Studio, designed and built in place our wooden stand.

It adds protractors for both elevation and direction, when you also vary the pressure, you can completely control the launch of the rocket.  This stand would also work well for an accuracy competition using hula hoop “planets” for completing missions.

Rick and co-author Andrew Carle’s new book “mBots for Makers”, is available here:

https://www.amazon.com/mBot-Makers-Conceive-Construct-Classroom/dp/1680452967/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1511737874&sr=8-1&keywords=mbot+or+makers

Also, check out Rick and co-author James Floyd Kelly book “MAKE: Planes, Gliders and Paper Rockets”, available here:

https://www.amazon.com/Rick-Schertle/e/B016P2Q6SG

Nick Corston first met Rick and I at the World Maker Faire in the fall of 2014.  He managed to talk us out of one of our prototype launchers that we had at the Faire - before we had shipped our Kickstarter orders!  It's worked out well though, as Nick had traveled all over the UK with his STEAM & Co. trailer, and one of his most popular STEAM activities is the "Rocket Kids".  This event combines the story of Homer Hickam, the real life author of "Rocket Boys" (also known as the movie October Sky) and the hands-on activity of each child making their own rocket to launch.  The event concludes with a launch of a black-powder powered rocket.

We’ll be launching all weekend at the World Maker Faire in New York this coming weekend.  Come join us from 10-6 on both Saturday and Sunday.  Keith and Rick will both be there with their families in our once a year Air Rocket Works reunion.  Details at: http://makerfaire.com/new-york/ 

Our brand new v2.2 launcher got a workout at the Second Annual San Jose Mini Maker Faire at History Park in San Jose, CA.  We built and launched over 700 rockets in just 7 hours!  I think that might be a record.  Pictured above is the San Jose Hisoric Light Tower.  This was big technology in the 1880’s in what is now the heart of Silicon Valley.  The tower is 115′ tall and nearly every rocket went much higher.  It was fun to have a physical gauge.  Our newest CARB (Compressed Air Rocket Bounce) flew nearly out of sight and landed with a 10′ bounce.  With a foam nose, lightweight body and plastic fins it’s durable and sleek.  We’re super happy with this new rocket and you will be too!