Things That Go Bang Project Specific Information

`A physical experiment which makes a bang is always worth more than a quiet one. Therefore a man cannot strongly enough ask of Heaven: if it wants to let him discover something, may it be something that makes a bang. It will resound into eternity.`

Georg Christoph Lichtenberg 1742-1799

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  • Syllabus
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  • Project Specific Information
    		•  Project Specific Information

    Description

    This semester's project will be about building devices that utilize high power, i.e. that go "bang". There will be 2 small projects during the first half of the semester, and a larger project during the second half.

    Safety

    We may be dealing with high voltage, high currents, and high velocity in these projects. Before commencing work, each team will be required to draft and have reviewed a plan for what procedures will be used to insure safe testing.

    First half (before spring break)

    Strobe: Each team will disassemble and analyze the operation of a camera strobe. Next, you will design, simulate, build and test your own high voltage generator and strobe triggering circuit, and end up with a strobe that you built yourself.

    Boomer: Each team will design, simulate, build and test a device for launching lightweight disks up in the air.

    Second half (after spring break)

    Coil Gun, Rail Gun, Metal Former: Depending on your team, you will design, simulate, build and test a device for launching magnetic objects down a tube, along two rails, or for forming metal (e.g. crushing a coke can)

    Reference Documents

    Hydraulic Ram Pump Resources

    Boost Converter / Strobe Resources

    Coil Gun Resources

    Disk Launcher Resources

    Teamwork Resources

    Patent Style Notebooks: Tips

    Your notebook for your final project should be kept in a form that is acceptable for the US patent office. Below are some resources on tips for keeping project records. Let me know which are useful or if you find other resources that are helpful.