In this project, I modified and machined the orifice plate to Aerospace NU’s rocket engine. The original design used two plates sealed with a graphite gasket, which offered excess complexity and additional failure modes. By merging the two parts, this creates a perfect seal.
The orifice plate is used to distribute then atomize the oxidizer uniformly in the engine chamber. This is then mixed with the fuel to create even combustion. The design consists of 12 channels converging on a central orifice, then passing through an expanding conical section to the chamber.
For such a precise part, CNC machining is necessary. I used HSMworks to program the operations necessary. The original stock had the perimeter waterjet, and the central hole was drilled out.
This was my introduction to CNC machining, and many of the nuances found in automated machining were made clear to me during the process; including 3D machining for smooth inclines and surface finish techniques.
The plate was then ready to use in our engine for static fire testing.
