1. Air Cannon
Team 8
Project 1
Part I
James Dombrowski
Wang Lucheng
Evan McHugh
Jeffrey Salamone-Callahan

2. Basics
•Pneumatic means that pressurized gas is used
to affect mechanical motion
•Typically air cannons are used recreationally;
however, more advanced forms of air cannons
and air guns have been used in history in
warfare and pneumatic technology can be used
for hunting as well

3. Operation
• Our project uses air pressure by the release of
compressed air through a valve.
• Typically, the power of the cannon comes from
the pressure of the air supply from either a
compressor, manual pump or bottled gas.
• Air tight construction is vital to the functioning
of an air cannon
• Typically, air pumps into a chamber and once the
appropriate pressure is reached a pressure release
valve is opened allowing the air to flow

4. The X and The Y
The X: Pre-compressed air
Free. Though combustible gases may be used, this is not the
case with out project. The air is entered into the system
through a pump and continues through the valve.
The Y: The projectile; the release of the pressure and
the subsequent direction/speed of the projectile
The release of the valve moves the air through the system
and then the Y value is produced when the projectile is
forced forward through the cannon. The speed and distance
depend upon the level of pressure, A.K.A. the X value.

5. Materials
Pump
PVC Tube
PVC fittings
PVC Valve
Threaded Style Schrader Valve
Glue

6. Design Elements &
Predictability
1. Ball valve quickly opens for
reliability and consistency.
2. PVC barrel is allows for
accuracy and constant angle
for projectile, minimizing
variables.
3. Nerf dart modified to better
fit barrel allowing less air to
pass and be wasted.
4. Air tight canister for loading
air charge, little to no loss of
air allows for consistency.
5. Easy to use pump allows for a
consistent volume of air to be
added to the canister with
every full stroke.
1
2
5
3
4

7. Values
• Number of Pumps (x)
• 1 3
• 2 4
• 3 5
• 4 6
• 5 7
• 6 8
• 7 9
• 8 10
• 9 11
• 10 12
• Distance of Dart (Y)
• 1 5ft7 in
• 2 7ft 4 in
• 3 9ft 2in
• 4 10ft 8 in
• 5 12ft 6 in
• 6 14 ft 4 in
• 7 15ft 7 in
• 8 17ft 5 in
• 9 19ft 1 in
• 10 20ft 9 in

8. The End
Team 8
Project 1
Part I
James Dombrowski
Wang Lucheng
Evan McHugh
Jeffrey Salamone-Callahan