3D Modeling a Nail Launcher

Introduction

Join us on our journey to make a tennis ball launcher. We will talk about how we designed the firing mechanism, ammunition and body of the tennis ball launcher.

Ammunition

The projectile consists of two primary components: the shell casing, which houses and protects the inner mechanisms, and the Tennis Ball Dart, which houses the propelent (one 25g CO₂ Cartridge) and the tennis ball.

Dart

The Propulsion system consists of a single 25 Gram CO₂ Canister. In order to attach the CO₂ Canister to the Tennis Ball, we made a 3D printed adapter (see below). This also includes the 6 fin stabilizers which are directly attached at a 5 degree angle to achieve stabalization through spinning the bullet.

Shell

We designed a sabo shell which allows for a larger surface area in the back to be proppeled forward. Then, once the shell has exited the barrel, the three pieces of the outer shell are discarded via the high drag "parachute" at the front of the shell. This allows us make the shell more powerful and because the crossection size of the dart is smaller, it has less air resistance.

The Launcher

Body

The barrel and main body is made up of a 2' and 3' pvc pipe (~4.5" OD, ~4" ID). Seperating the barrel and the back half of the body is a 4.5" diameter, 1/8" thick aluminum plate. This acts as the back of the barrel and is where the gasses will be trapped against.

Firing Mechanism

As for the firing mechanism, it consists of a ~2.5" long nail. In order to keep a consitent striking point by the "firing pin" it is guided on a rail system via slots cut out on the PVC pipe with aluminum rods. Thicker aluminum rods are used on the side which allow for the user to pull back on and set the firing pin.

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