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Thanks Ian,
The elastic cords could be a way to make what I have designed work with minor modification. I am familiar with the Airzooka product. I also agree that designing something to be whacked may be asking for trouble. At least in the case of these "small" cannons that I have designed. They are meant to be aimed with some precision and the whacking will not do. the versions you just smack are fun and do give a good blast, but I already have a design in place and only need to nail down the elastic diaphragm, not redesign it. (BUT thanks to all who pitched in ideas and suggestions) Again I need a good stretchable membrane material. Imagine an 8" dia. stretching back 3-4"s.
---- Ian Russell <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
>
> I'd like to suggest a radical improvement to this classical exhibit. I've
> never liked the idea of visitors being asked to 'whack' anything! It's just
> asking for maintenance problems and it encourages inappropriate behaviour.
>
> Many people here will be familiar with the Airzooker toy.
> http://bit.ly/bc3Yd
> (If not, then Google search and buy one online IMMEDIATELY, you won't regret
> it!)
>
> Like the air cannon exhibit, the Airzooker toy produces a powerful toroidal
> vortex - a smoke ring without smoke - which glides relatively slowly
> forwards, then suddenly blasts the target with the fast-moving air at the
> centre of the 'ring'.
>
> But the Airzooker membrane is simply made from a sheet of ordinary
> polyethylene. In the middle of the sheet is a small plastic handle. Two
> elastic cords run from the inner side of this handle to fixing points on
> either side of the big hole at the front of the Airzooker.
>
> To shoot it, you simply take aim, pull back the small plastic handle
> (stretching the elastic cords) then let go. The membrane is snapped forward
> strongly by the elastic cords and out shoots a particularly powerful
> toroidal vortex. My Airzooker easily knocks over a vase of flowers from the
> opposite side of a room. (OOPS!)
>
> This is a much better way to design a large Air Cannon exhibit. Pulling back
> and releasing is so much better than 'whacking'. And it generally makes a
> better vortex.
>
> To prevent people from over-stretching the elastic cords or the membrane,
> simply fasten a slack, non-elastic cord alongside each elastic cord.
>
> When copying existing exhibit designs, don't just assume that the design you
> are copying is the RIGHT design.
>
> Promoting public engagement with science
> through a contagious delight in phenomena
> *
> [log in to unmask] * http://www.interactives.co.uk
> *
> Give people facts and you feed their minds for an hour.
> Awaken curiosity and they feed their own minds for a lifetime.
> *
> Ian Russell (Twitter: ianrusselluk)
>
> ***********************************************************************
> For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
>
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--
Erich Rose
Exhibit, Environmental and Industrial Design
807 The Living End
Austin, TX 78746
512-626-9930; [log in to unmask]
***********************************************************************
For information about the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Informal Science Education Network please visit www.astc.org.
Check out the latest case studies and reviews on ExhibitFiles at www.exhibitfiles.org.
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