Page 1 of 1

Can i Actuate a Piston with a blowgun?

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:52 pm
by PneuJose
Hey guys, all i got to say is that if i can actuate a 1.5'' piston with a blowgun?
i want to know because if i want aim i cant be pushing/pulling my 1/2 ball valve. im going to use some hose to connect the blowgun and put it into the right place. Will this make any differece, Slower or faster opening times?

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:55 pm
by hi
It might be a little slower, but it will work. i have actuated a 2'' piston with a 1/4'' ball valve, so yes it will work.

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:58 pm
by hunter1992
It should work. I can actuate my 2 inch piston with my blowgun. it doesn't have a very noticible difference.

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:58 pm
by PneuJose
Oh ty so much. after setting up the blowgun in the gun ill post it, its not going to be a contest submission because its just a regular barrel sealing. the cool thing is the piston and a nice clean paintjob. :D :D :D

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:16 am
by hi
Just out of general curiosity, whats the piston made of?

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 12:20 am
by PneuJose
Well my piston is made of neoprene, its not too heavy.

http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/my-pist ... t7655.html
there u can see it.

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:16 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
Keep the pilot volume to a minimum and you should be fine, the length between the end of the piston and the rear of the chamber only has to be 1/4th of the barrel diameter for maximum efficieny - ie if you have a 1 inch barrel, the piston only has to move back 1/4th of an inch.

I actuate the 1 inch piston on my 3/4 inch pneumatic and as you can see, the performance is still excellent :D

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:25 am
by PneuJose
OK



just to make this longer. :D :D
so i can actuate it YES OR NO?

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:27 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
Follow the above criteria (and make sure you have a tight-fitting piston) and the answer is YES :wink:

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:31 am
by PneuJose
so, u say that the chamber volume in the back of the piston should be minimal, right?
thats the problem........(cant explain) ill get u a picture, but later its 2am here.......

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 1:35 am
by jackssmirkingrevenge
The more chamber volume you have behind the piston, the more time it will take for the pilot chamber to empty and the slower the piston will actutate.

There are two solutions to make it more effective, make the volume as small as possible, and use as high flow a valve to actuate it as you can.

Since you're using a blowgun, the second option is a bit limited so you have to work on cutting down on the volume. Post a picture of your setup at your leisure and I'm sure someone will be able to suggest a viable solution.