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Coilgun

This is an older project that i built for a physics contest.

e-c-c-0[ E C C 0 ]
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This is a simple coilgun powered by 4 9v batteries and a capacitor bank (8*4700uF). The switching is done with a thyristor (40TPS12A).
If anyone wants the schematics, message me and i'll look try to find them because this is a fairly old project.

First up i prototyped the circuit to see of it works with the parts that i was able to source.

Everything worked well but the coil needed work.

  • Foam body design

    [ E C C 0 ] • 04/26/2017 at 17:39 • 0 comments

    Initially, the body was made from insulation foam, just because it was easy to work with and it was what i had on hand.

    However, this design proved weak in the middle. Also, i learned that the barrel needs to stay above the trigger, otherwise the gun is awkward to hold.

  • Prototype

    [ E C C 0 ] • 04/26/2017 at 16:49 • 0 comments

    First up i prototyped the circuit to see of it works with the parts that i was able to source.

    Edit

    Everything worked well but the coil needed work.

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RelCoop wrote 09/27/2021 at 13:37 • point

I know this is old but if you made it multi coil with sensors to cut each coil off as the projectile enters, you could get the velocity up substantially.  I’m considering starting a railgun soon 

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Capt. Flatus O'Flaherty ☠ wrote 04/26/2017 at 18:03 • point

How powerful was it?

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[ E C C 0 ] wrote 04/26/2017 at 18:36 • point

Not very. The little metal ball travelled 2-3 meters, but it was enough to prove the principle.

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EngineerAllen wrote 04/26/2017 at 17:39 • point

coil guns are expensive to make

thats the annoying thing

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