Compressed-Air Water Balloon Launcher
Pneumatic Launcher Design
A pneumatic launcher built from scratch — custom trigger, compressor integration, and barrel — that safely projects water balloons at 70 psi.
Overview
Built a compressed-air launcher with a custom trigger mechanism, compressor integration, and barrel, focusing on safe pressurisation and a controlled, repeatable release.
Objective
The quick-release valve leaked under pressure — resolved with new O-rings and thread-sealing tape. Determining the required chamber pressure to launch balloons without over-pressurising involved initial fluid-mechanics estimates followed by iterative trial and error to narrow down the ideal operating pressure.
Approach
First-principles fluid-mechanics calculation to bound the pressure range. Physical prototyping with successive pressure tests. Valve and seal design iterated until leak-free operation at 70 psi was confirmed.
Results
- —Consistently pressurised to 70 psi without leakage
- —Achieved approximately 5 m range
Gallery
Specifications
Tools & Tech