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High Powered Pneumatic Launcher - P.A.C. 5

This is the fifth pressurized air cannon (P.A.C. 5) made here and happens to be one of the most powerful cannons personally constructed. At a recent test, this cannon shot potatoes over twice as far as my P.A.C. 4. Latest shot: 1,276 feet with a specially made PVC dart. The dart is a lightweight PVC projectile with fins that creates a spin on the dart. This creates stability and accuracy.

NOTE: Below is enough information to build this cannon on your own however I have made up step-by-step plans on how to build this cannon as well. Many people prefer to purchase these plans for the fact that it is so much easier to put one together with the plans as an aid. If you find this cannon confusing, you can purchase the step-by-step plans here. Have fun!

Testing the Launcher - 1998

Information:

This cannon uses a different firing mechanism than the previous launchers shown. It uses a piston that acts like an oversized check valve. The air chamber surrounds the barrel and has a piston inside of it, which allows the air to enter the barrel. With cannons that use sprinkler valves, only a small amount of air can be let into the barrel at once because the hole in the valve is so small. However with this type of cannon, the piston flies back several inches, allowing much more air to enter the barrel at once. This new method is the main reason why it is so powerful. You can look at my What's a Pneumatic Cannon? page for more info.

Piston & Bumper Construction
Barrel Construction
Chamber Construction/Air Control Assembly
Cannon Stand

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Specs: The camber is 4"wide by 4ft long. The main barrel is 2" by 6ft. long however it has smaller interchangeable barrels. It uses a 3" coupler as a piston with 1/8" Hard neoprene with cloth insert as the diaphragm material.

Piston & Bumper Construction

1/4" Hard neoprene with cloth insert (1000PSI) was used for the diaphragm material. This material is much stronger and is actually pressure tested to withstand the extreme pressures. Do not use wetsuit neoprene for it is far too weak.

Below is a simple diagram of how the piston is constructed:

Barrel Construction

This 4"x2" Reducer Bushing is used to stabilize the barrel in the chamber. The outsides are cut away until it fits inside the chamber.

The barrel positioned inside the chamber by the 4"x2" Reducer Bushing:	Barrel Assembly next to the chamber

Chamber Construction/Air Control Assembly

The large threaded fittings make for easy access to the piston.

Here is a picture of the parts I used in the chamber. You can see the tubing used for the bumper, 2" barrel and 4" chamber. Shown is also the 2"x4" reducer cut away to make the support.

The pictures basically shows what was done. The first picture is of the assembly disassembled. You can see the TFE paste from which I used to seal the threads. The second picture is of the completed assembly.

Cannon Stand

Here is the stand that was used to hold the cannon. It uses a set of springs to help withstand the huge recoil of the cannon firing. The springs are attached to two cables, which are attached around the 4"x2" bushing. To prevent the cannon from springing out of the stand after being fired (reverse effect), I made a homemade hose clamp out of some plumbers tape which holds it in place quite nicely.

You can see the springs and the cable. The cannon sits inside the cradle shown below: