SpudFiles

Has anyone every used an Arduino board? I am thinking about buying a starter kit and learning how to. I came up with this idea, that you could use Arduino programming, as well as a few transducers and solenoids, to create a fairly consistent semi-auto system for some of the harder types of cannons, such as combustion and hybrid. For example, in a hybrid, first the arduino would instruct a solenoid valve to open, filling the chamber with propane. Once it was done, a transducer inside the chamber would detect that, and the propane valve could close. Next, an air valve could open until the chamber reached a specific pressure. It could also use a solenoid to actuate a bolt. When the refilling and loading was done, an indicator LED could light up to tell you it was ready to fire. When you pull back and release the trigger, the same process could begin again.

Sounds like a good idea although I would just make something slightly more physically activated to make it semi auto. If you can make it work, that'd be cool.

Also this could be in the wrong section. Since it hasn't been tested, it isn't really a theory yet... I think...

that would be dead easy with an arduino.
this is a great sensor: http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/sit ... omPage=tax (you can sample it)
It gives 9mv for every .145psi. the voltage level is +/- 2.5%, so plenty accurate.

Also this could be in the wrong section. Since it hasn't been tested, it isn't really a theory yet... I think...

No, I believe a theory means something that hasn't been tested.

I think that I could make this work if I can find some pressure switches or transducers for <$50. It could automate any kind of gun, provided the right components were in place.

edit

that would be dead easy with an arduino.
this is a great sensor: http://www.freescale.com/webapp/sps/sit ... de=MPX5500 &webpageId=M98716&nodeId=01126990368716&fromPage=tax (you can sample it)
It gives 9mv for every .145psi. the voltage level is +/- 2.5%, so plenty accurate.

How much does it cost? I saw what looked like a price for $6.91 per switch if you buy 10,000 of them, but what is the price for a single one?

look what I've achieved with just one relay... I wish I was good at electronics....

linky

I don't think that a pressure sensor is 100% needed... but on the other hand you could use one to meter propane (though you would need a fairly accurate one)

It could also use a solenoid to actuate a bolt

since you're already going to use a 3 way valve you might as well use another one to control an air cylinder... or better yet kooh up the air cylinder to the meter (you'd have to include its internal volume but that's not something difficult)