Air Cannon - Pfft!

[Steven P]

Did a similar thing with the boys at the local museum, 50mm pipe I think, screw in car valve, foot pump and a paper rocket weighted at the end, flew a good 15 to 20m - still rising as it hit the far wall. Actuator was a 12V shower valve and launch pipe 15mm plumbing -  think that's the difference between the 2 is that the stored energy can be released quicker through a 32mm launcher.

 

Good fun, so in the garage, still be to be built is a nerf-gun rocket launcher, I reckon it should have enough energy in for 20 nerf bullets.

 

 

I'm assuming here an electrical actuated valve, looks like they are £200+ ? Do you reckon you could get a quick enough opening speed with a manual valve?

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Steven P