6-Stage Linear Accelerator (2P launcher)

[DrInductor]

I think this could fire at a much higher speed if you used a capacitive discharge as opposed to a plain battery connection.

[HVdischarge]

@DrInductor Definitely! but i wanted to stay away from charging capacitors this time, mostly due to reduced cost but also to see what sort of acceleration i can get out of a Low Voltage, Low Current source.

I may build a multi-stage coil gun in the future, if i get the time and money :-/.

[AnthonySezerFrance]

Hi, this a beautifull device you have there. Do you know where I could find instructions on how to make one? I've only come across coilgun pages and I'd like to achieve that prior to a coilgun.

Thanks.

[HVdischarge]

@AnthonySezerFrance: Hello, Thanks. I'm afraid i don't as i designed this myself :-/. Each stage basically consists of an IR LED that is a few mm away from an IR Photo-diode on the other side. the output from the IR Photo-diode goes to an Op-Amp. when the coin breaks the light, the resistance of the Photo-diode changes and the output from the Op-Amp goes high...switching the mosfet on.. "energizing" the coil. once the coin has passed the output goes low again.make several stages and job done :-)

[ultrapwner]

I'm thinking this work because (theres a name for this but i forget) the coils give off a magnetic field and when the penny passes through the coils it has its own field that counter acts the coils fields making it accelerate and when you put more power in the coils it makes the field more powerfull and makes the penny travels faster

[coilsinamotor]

hey hv what circuty did u use could you send me a schematic or at least let me know what the chip u used is thanks

[HVdischarge]

@coilsinamotor Hey, long time, no see.

i used the LM324 quad op-amp IC. some IR LED's and some IR photo diodes.

when the 2p breaks the beam, the op-amp output goes high and turns the fet on :-D.

simple little circuit... just have to make a few of them... well... 6 :-) lol.

C ya mate

[coilsinamotor]

@HVdischarge sweet thankx :P i have to do this some time but i might use 2 lm393 lol great project :D

[vivdal]

Well Done! and very neat work.

Keep it up,and with easily sourced projectiles!

[HVdischarge]

Hey Viv :-).

Thanks Very Much.

That was one of the main advantages of using pennies... Even if they don't make the most efficient or destructive projectile. Only 2P a shot too... and that's only if you lose them LOL!

[coilsinamotor]

thats awsome!!!

[HVdischarge]

Thanks :-D.

Your all encouraging me to build a bigger, better one now lol.

[coilsinamotor]

@HVdischarge thats good post a vid of it oce u do lol ;)

[HVdischarge]

:-P. But i have a couple of choices to make before i do...

Projectiles: pennies again? or iron bolts?

low voltage or small cap banks?

Still trying to make my mind up. if i go for caps i only have enough SCR's for about 3 stages :-/.

[MrLiquimatter]

VERY NICE!!!!!!!!!! accelerating copper and zinc thats a HUGE success!

[HVdischarge]

Thanks :-D. as you can see from the video the difference between 12V and 24V is pretty big! im thinking about building a slightly bigger and better accelerator But im trying to decide what is better, more turns and less current or less turns and more current :-/...

Thanks again.

[HVdischarge]

I wonder if it would go alot better if i made a coin out of iron?

[Anothercoilgun]

Good build! Something new in electromagnetic acceleration. I seen plenty of vertical disk launchers and some side shooting but nothing on this small scale.

[HVdischarge]

Cheers :-). im not sure where the idea came from. it's just something i have been thinking about building for a while. i had a few days off work, so i decided to start cutting up the plastic... it carried on from there lol. its about the only thing that i never designed before building it.

I do have a vertical disk launcher too (thompson coil). But i didnt see much point on uploading a video seeing as there is already quiet a few... i might do if i get bored one day.