I remember reading about Slingatron, a project seeking to test the feasability of sending objects into orbit by using a spiral launcher. The idea being that you're able to have a very long 'barrel' in a compact space. As the object is pushed out by a force, (in my example, air power). The object has time to keep accelerating.
That's my simplified version of it... seek it out if you have a genuine interest.
For me? I thought it was a neat idea worthy of playing around just for fun. Place a BB(s) into the funnel and blow through that same funnel. BB comes out a pretty decent pace.
Hooked it up to my air compressor without a tight fight and very loose tolerances for the 'barrel' and they shot out with significant force.
This is not a toy! This is for adults only. Do not shoot at others, yourself or animals. Property damage may occur. Don't be a dick!
Update:
Created a second one that is much larger, contains > 3.2m worth of 'barrel'. The hole in the center is so you can hold it like a bagel/donut vertically and blow into the inlet to force the BB out. A bit more powerful, fun, but moving away from air power for now.
| slingatron_test.stl | 5.1MB | |
| slingatron_test_v2.stl | 5.0MB |
