Fin Actuation Hardware

Development of the fin actuation is well underway. With the aluminium CNC machined fins completed, pivots and servo linkage were required. The system was designed in CAD to work out how to fit the components into the limited space available. The CAD model screen shot below shows the overall rocket with airframe, motor and fins visible.



With the fin actuation hardware designed, a prototype setup was constructed with an RC servo actuating one fin. The motion, controlled using an ATMega8 microcontroller, had suitable resolution but considerable dead-band was observed that will need to be eliminated. The images below show the fin on a prototype air frame with control board, and the prototype linkage similar to the final setup.





Most of the components for the final system have been machined. It is expected that the system will be completed and ready for preliminary wind tunnel tests by the end of the week.