6-Stage Linear Accelerator (2P launcher)

6-Stage Linear Accelerator that launches 1 and 2 pence pieces.
Its not Exactly powerful, but i built it to get a better idea of what its involved in building a mutli-stage coilgun.
The circuit is pretty simple, not alot to go wrong... i hope.

Only low voltage, so its completly safe with no risk of shock, also you don't have to wait for it to charge as the coils run directly off the battery. i made the mistake of putting a copper penny in there and of course, the coil didnt make it move. so it sat there blocking the photodiode so the coil stayed on. after about 3 seconds there was popping noises as the coil started eating its way into the plastic!!!

"EDIT" After saying that there is no risk of shock, i was holding the Accelerator and i have a cut on my finger and my hands were a bit wet, Got bit of a burning sensation on my cut which almost made me drop it! so... maybe not entirly risk free :-D.

I think the coils are around 2 Ohms each, Can't remember, so around 12A @24V. im pretty sure the enamelled copper wire is rated for about 2-3A... which would explain why its gets a wee bit hot :-P.

Sorry about the light conditions on the 420FPS clip. You wouldn't believe that it was sat right below a 100W lightbulb :-/. I'm Looking ar building some sort of light source that i can mount to my camera or tri-pod for high speed shots, maybe a couple of 20W LED's or 1, 50W LED.

Thanks For watching!

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• linear
• accelerator
• 2P
• 1P
• launcher
• electromagnet
• electromagnetic
• electro
• magnet
• multi-stage
• 12v
• 24v
• coil
• gun
• coilgun
• propulsion

[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 :-)

[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

[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]

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

[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!

[vivdal]

Well Done! and very neat work.

Keep it up,and with easily sourced projectiles!