Vacuum Cannon
Goal: To build a vacuum air cannon to launch 3D printed projectiles
Materials you need:
1 x 1 meter long 40mm diameter PVC pipe
1 x thinner PVC pipe
1 x PVC coupling for the 40mm pipe
2 x 25mm O rings
Baking paper
Lubricant (oil, soap, grease, etc.)
You will also need a 3D printer and filament to create the air-tight plunger and projectiles. If you have a 3D printer, great! If you don’t, not to worry, there are lots of publicly available 3D printing services in places like public libraries.
Assembly Instructions
Print the plunger
Fit o-rings into the grooves of the plunger, make sure it fits in PVC pipe
Put plunger into section of thinner pvc pipe. Either glue in, or preferably secure with a screw
Put screw on end of thin pvc pipe and tie a 1.5m rope on it
How to fire:Lubricate plunger and pipe with oil, soap, grease, whatever, just make sure it slides smoothly
Feed the rope and plunger through to the tube
Press projectile onto top of plunger so it’s flat with the edge of tube
Stretch baking paper flat over end of tube
Press and secure the baking paper with the PVC coupling
Have 1 or more person hold the pipe steady at an upward angle, pull out the plunger to fire
