[Build] Rubens Tube Test (Practically perfect results!)

So, here's the best test so far of our Rubens Tube build. I've spent days with the Physics department building this and we JUST got it to work well. Quick overview:

The pipe is metal, gets bloody hot but works amazingly.

It has a 0.01m resolution and 83 holes in total.

We DID NOT attach the speaker directly, this does not work, instead we used a
latex membrane on one end and put the speaker close to it, acting as a diaphragm.

We used a canister of butane to fuel it, gave the clearest and cleanest flames possible.

It is a LOT of fun!

If you want any more tips on building one, leave a comment :)

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• rubens
• tube
• physics
• project
• sound
• wave
• frequency
• speaker
• metal
• pole
• butane
• gas
• fire
• bunsen
• sine

[musicalmiller]

This is the best Ruben's Tube I've seen! Do you really need that membrane? I built mine without one and it seems to be working ok so far... The problem I'm having is getting all the flames at equal heights with no sound. Any suggestions?

[joelsack]

@musicalmiller We needed the membrane yeah, tried without and it didn't work anywhere near as well, and leaked where the speaker was badly sealed.

And that is a big problem, I totally empathize. What we found was drilling the holes as perfectly as possible, and sanding out any imperfections (make a round block and do inside and outside) by smoothing it all out helped a lot. Also, higher pressure gas makes it more even. High pressure Butane works best we found.

[joelsack]

@SmileysRevenge100 The other side needs to be fully bunged, we used a rubber bung and the bung has the gas supply running through it, and the speaker size doesnt matter, place it about 0.5-1cm away from the membrane and it should work.

[SmileysRevenge100]

@joelsack Cool. I already tried it, it seems to work just fine, but I'm still not getting the results I want. So I'm thinking it could be two things. 1) I also have a membrane on the other side (so both sides). I'm wondering if this could effect it. Do you just have a membrane on one side and the other side capped off? 2) Maybe the diameter of the speaker is relevant. I wouldn't think so, but I'm not sure. Is your speaker attached to the tube? What the diameter of it? Thanks!

[joelsack]

@SmileysRevenge100 Don't see why not. Try it and find out, only way to know ;)

[SmileysRevenge100]

@joelsack Do you think a vinyl glove would work just as well as a latex glove?

[RobSellsTacos]

Dammit I love it when science equals awe and beauty.

[joelsack]

@guitarlearner621 We used an oscillator connected to a speaker but you can get a PC app that generates basic shaped waves, though I dont know what it's called. A quick google search should bring a few utilities up. Another REALLY important thing is do NOT attach the speaker directly. You need to make a membrane out of a chopped latex glove or something over 1 side, and hold the speaker next to it. It wont work atall unless you do this. Just stretch it round one end fairly tight and seal it well.

[joelsack]

@guitarlearner621 I THINK, though I'm not 100% sure since it was a while ago, they were either 1.5mm or 3mm. It was really difficult to drill since the drill bit was so fragile and it's obviously curved so make sure you centre-punch the holes first so the drill doesnt slip out of place. Ours were about 2cm apart from eachother, and drilling it took AGES so my advice is drill every other hole, check it works, then double drill it when you know you have a good width set of holes :)