Building a Coil Gun: A Dangerous yet Powerful Project

TLDRIn this video, I showcase my design of a coil gun and explain how it works. This project involves high voltage and is potentially dangerous, so caution is necessary. The gun consists of separate PCBs for each stage, making it easy to add more speed or power. I discuss the coil gun's operation, including the creation of a magnetic field and the use of photo transistors for bullet detection. I also demonstrate the gun's capabilities by shooting projectiles through different materials. Watch till the end to see the results and get access to the project files!

Key insights

😱Building a coil gun can be dangerous due to high voltage and the firing of projectiles at high speed.

🔌The coil gun design features separate PCBs for each stage, allowing for easy customization and expansion.

🧲When current is applied to the coil, a magnetic field is created, attracting the ferromagnetic projectile.

📷Photo transistors are used to detect the projectile passing through the coil and control the power.

🎯The coil gun's power allows it to shoot projectiles through materials like cardboard, plywood, and plexiglass.

Q&A

Is it safe to build a coil gun?

—Building a coil gun can be dangerous due to high voltage and the potential for projectiles to cause harm. It is essential to take safety precautions and ensure proper insulation while working on this project.

How does a coil gun work?

—A coil gun operates by creating a magnetic field with a coil. When a projectile made of ferromagnetic material is placed within the field, it is attracted and accelerated through the coil.

Can I customize the speed and power of the coil gun?

—Yes, the coil gun design featured in this video allows for easy customization and expansion. By adding more stages with separate PCBs, you can increase the speed and power of the gun.

What are photo transistors used for in the coil gun?

—Photo transistors are used to detect when the projectile passes through the coil. By blocking the infrared light between the transmitter and receiver, the transistors signal the control circuit to cut off power.

What materials can the coil gun shoot through?

—The coil gun showcased in this video can shoot projectiles through materials like cardboard, plywood, plexiglass, and even strong materials like three-millimeter MDF.

Timestamped Summary

00:00Introduction to the coil gun and warning about its dangerous nature.

02:42Explanation of the coil gun's design, featuring separate PCBs for each stage.

04:09Overview of how a coil gun works, using a magnetic field to attract and accelerate projectiles.

06:13Demonstration of how photo transistors are used to detect the projectile passing through the coil.

08:06Explanation of the power supply and high voltage generation for the coil gun.

11:32Assembly of the coil gun, merging separate PCB segments and connecting components.

12:22The completed coil gun is showcased, with demonstrations of shooting projectiles through different materials.

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