Halloween Candy Mortar

Well it worked well on Halloween. We only had a few groups come by but they all seemed to enjoy it. 

Several did it multiple times and since we had plenty of candy it wasn't a problem.

We left a small bucket for everyone to drop the 35mm film canisters into and that worked out well. No one seemed to mind returning them.

A couple of trick or treaters encouraged us to shoot out more then 2 at a time. 5 at a time still worked great. 6 was a bust. 

Web page controlled Launch Sign: Used an ESP32, 6 LEDs, and a usb battery for the circuit. Code is from Random Nerd Tutorials (ESP32 Web Sever). Built  a simple sign from a polycarbonate sheet and some pieces of wood. Hot glued the LEDs under the sign. Scratched the word LAUNCH into the polycarbonate sheet with a Dremel. Idea is to place this on a stand next to the foot pedal and activate it when we are ready for them to step on the foot pedal. 

Bought a bunch of 2" glow sticks and added them to the film canisters along with the candy.

Difficult to film the effect when launched but they work well and when they land it makes them easy to find in the grass. The green glow stick is much brighter than the purple glow stick. The added weight does not seem to limit the distance much. See the video. 

Also made a parachute from tissue paper and kite string that was taped to the outside of the canister lid. Taped a paper sleeve around the canister and slid it up about an inch then tucked the parachute into it. Did not work well. Parachute either deployed too early or too late. No pics of this.

10/13/20

Posted a video of some launches

10/12/20

Began working on an ESP32 controlled LED sign that tells the next trick-or-treater when they can  move forward to use the launcher. Picture something like two  EXIT signs stacked on top of each other, one saying LAUNCH and the other saying WAIT. Controlled by an phone app.

Circuit is built, need to work on the app and then then the actual box to hold it.

10/5/20:

Run 1: 

Pressure: 27.5 PSI , Launcher Angle: 70 degrees, Payload: 2 canisters with candy Weight: 52 grams

Horizontal Distance: ~45'

Vertical Distance ~45'' estimated.

Conclusion: Good

Run 2: 

Pressure: 27.5 PSI , Launcher Angle: 60 degrees, Payload: 2 canisters with candy Weight: 52 grams

Horizontal Distance: ~45'

Vertical Distance ~45'' estimated.

Conclusion: Very similar to Run 1 at 70 degree.

10/4/20: 

Ruled out shooting candy without some kind of a container. Considered using plastic Easter eggs since several were available. However, no PVC tube is made with 1.75" inside diameter. Only 1.5" and 2.0" are available. 35mm film canisters were also available and fit nicely into a 1.5" PVC pipe.

Purchased the PVC parts to convert the 3/4" Female thread on the sprinkler valve to 1.5" PVC tube that would fit the film canisters.

Assembled the systems and ran several tests

Run 1: 

Pressure: 40 PSI , Launcher Angle: 80 degrees, Payload: 1 canister with candy Weight: 26 grams

Horizontal Distance: ~47'

Vertical Distance ~60' estimated, possibly higher.

Conclusion: Way too high

Run 2: 

Pressure: 40 PSI , Launcher Angle: 80 degrees, Payload: 2 canisters with candy Weight: 52 grams

Horizontal Distance: ~40'

Vertical Distance ~60' estimated, possibly higher.

Conclusion: Way too high

Run 3: 

Pressure: 35 PSI , Launcher Angle: 75 degrees, Payload: 2 canisters with candy Weight: 52 grams

Horizontal Distance: ~60'

Vertical Distance ~60' estimated, possibly higher.

Conclusion: Way too high

Also tested:

Plastic streamer taped to the canister to slow decent. Worked well but reduced distance to ~35'. 

Parachute from a napkin also taped to canister. Worked well but reduced height and distance. Only traveled 13'. Opened on the way up.