Darren Stoddart
Member
Hello Everyone,
I just completed a working cannon for a performance of The Nutcracker. BY working I mean that it shoots low-density foam balls.
This is the firing mechanism. A piston slides back in forth and is "sprung" with the bungee cord you can see at the bottom of the photo. There is a drawcord that attached to the eyelet that gets pulled back to set the firing piston, it is heald the ready position by a bead on the cord that fits through a hole and slot. This triggering area can be seen in the second photo.
I am very well pleased with the mechanism and have all sorts of ideas for how to use it in other special effects that require launching doo dads into the air.
Photo 3 are the foam balls. These balls do not fly well or far but they are very safe which is a top priority. I used similar balls in an air cannon for a big finale scene in High School Musical. In this configuration they fly 8 - 10 feet, if I compressed the ball in a smaller tube the piston strike would be able to launch it further.
Photo 4 is the completed cannon.
I look forward to your thoughts and any suggestions for improvements!
I just completed a working cannon for a performance of The Nutcracker. BY working I mean that it shoots low-density foam balls.
This is the firing mechanism. A piston slides back in forth and is "sprung" with the bungee cord you can see at the bottom of the photo. There is a drawcord that attached to the eyelet that gets pulled back to set the firing piston, it is heald the ready position by a bead on the cord that fits through a hole and slot. This triggering area can be seen in the second photo.
I am very well pleased with the mechanism and have all sorts of ideas for how to use it in other special effects that require launching doo dads into the air.
Photo 3 are the foam balls. These balls do not fly well or far but they are very safe which is a top priority. I used similar balls in an air cannon for a big finale scene in High School Musical. In this configuration they fly 8 - 10 feet, if I compressed the ball in a smaller tube the piston strike would be able to launch it further.
Photo 4 is the completed cannon.
I look forward to your thoughts and any suggestions for improvements!