pistons diaphrams

Cannons powered by pneumatic pressure (compressed gas) using a valve or other release.
iknowmy3tables
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
United States of America
Posts: 1596
Joined: Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:57 pm
Location: maryland
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 9 times

Diaphrams!! Pistons!! everyone is using pistons and I never see many good diaphram these days, whats the differnce? why pistons?
User avatar
MrCrowley
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 10078
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:42 pm
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Been thanked: 3 times

Seek and you'll shall find!

Have fun.......http://www.spudfiles.com/forums/search.php?mode=results&

Generally Pistons are easier to make and more common, Im not sure about performance wise but it would be hard to go 4" with a diaphragm I believe. if one was more powerful then the other I would say it would be a piston.
User avatar
noname
First Sergeant 4
First Sergeant 4
Posts: 2698
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:19 pm
Location: Bay Area, CA

Oh my GOD!!!!!!!! How can you say pistons are easier to make?!?!? A diaphragm is a friggin' circle of rubber!!!!
User avatar
rna_duelers
Staff Sergeant 3
Staff Sergeant 3
Posts: 1739
Joined: Mon Sep 26, 2005 7:07 am
Location: G-land Australia

It depends on what you mean by "more powerful".Efficiency,flow,opening time.There are alot of different characteristics and no valve is 'better' then the other its like comparing a turbo charger to a supercharger there is no 'better' valve.Which ever you choose you wont be disapointed though.

A Piston usualy has better flow but a Diaphram has a vastly quicker opening time.A Diaphram valve would be easyer to build then a piston as there is no need for the building of the piston all that is required is a sheet of thick rubber or similar material.
Image
User avatar
MrCrowley
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 10078
Joined: Fri Jun 23, 2006 10:42 pm
Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Been thanked: 3 times

noname wrote:Oh my GOD!!!!!!!! How can you say pistons are easier to make?!?!? A diaphragm is a friggin' circle of rubber!!!!
I find them easier, I tried a 'phragm and I spent alot of time finding the right rubber thats flexible and to mount it perfectly was a pain, A small piston can just be a piece of wood(some broom handle) with a piece of rubber bolted on.
User avatar
Atlantis
Corporal 5
Corporal 5
Posts: 955
Joined: Sat Sep 03, 2005 10:26 pm
Location: Florida

Diaphragms are material specific, while pistons can be made out of pretty much anything round with a rubber ball or something on the end. The other problem with diaphragms is that sometimes they get sucked out of the barrel.
"There isn't a problem in the world that can't be solved by the proper application of explosives"
User avatar
noname
First Sergeant 4
First Sergeant 4
Posts: 2698
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:19 pm
Location: Bay Area, CA

I just go to the hardware store and buy some 1/8" rubber sheet, it's usually the right flexibility.
iknowmy3tables
Staff Sergeant
Staff Sergeant
United States of America
Posts: 1596
Joined: Fri Dec 15, 2006 3:57 pm
Location: maryland
Has thanked: 3 times
Been thanked: 9 times

well I guess if you know exacly what you need and have a clean cut a diaphram is easier, but if you wanted something bigish like 4" or more I think a diaphram would be easier.
sgehring
Private 4
Private 4
Posts: 71
Joined: Tue Nov 21, 2006 11:36 pm
Location: Idaho

I make my 4" diaphrams from the rubber caps that you get that have hose clamps on them. They are slightly crowned on one side and I put that side againest the barrel outlet. They work great.
User avatar
Daemonseed
Private 2
Private 2
Posts: 34
Joined: Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:14 pm

I do the exact same thing, never had a single problem.
User avatar
mark.f
Sergeant Major 4
Sergeant Major 4
Eritrea
Posts: 3643
Joined: Sat May 06, 2006 11:18 am
Location: The Big Steezy
Has thanked: 58 times
Been thanked: 62 times
Contact:

Diaphragm valves generally open faster, where piston valves open more completely, (don't bounce), because they have a higher inertia due to their mass.
User avatar
noname
First Sergeant 4
First Sergeant 4
Posts: 2698
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:19 pm
Location: Bay Area, CA

In other words, as much as I like diaphragms, pistons are generally better than diaphragms for large cannons, say, over a 2.5" piston, and diaphragms are better for smaller guns.
User avatar
Hotwired
First Sergeant 3
First Sergeant 3
Posts: 2599
Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2006 5:51 am
Location: UK

Actually QEV's are better for small guns.

Theres two types though, ones a lightweight shaped plastic disk, the other is a rubber diaphragm.

Just to keep the piston/diaphragm debate going into QEV's :P
User avatar
noname
First Sergeant 4
First Sergeant 4
Posts: 2698
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 9:19 pm
Location: Bay Area, CA

And QEVs use diaphragms, which you've just explained, and you also said they're better for smaller guns, so I win. :D
User avatar
Hotwired
First Sergeant 3
First Sergeant 3
Posts: 2599
Joined: Fri Oct 13, 2006 5:51 am
Location: UK

Ah but the other type of QEV uses a lightweight rigid plastic disk which is specially shaped and that could be called a piston...
Post Reply

Create an account or sign in to join the discussion

You need to be a member in order to post a reply

Create an account

Not a member? register to join our community
Members can start their own topics & subscribe to topics
It’s free and only takes a minute

Register

Sign in

  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post
  • pistons
    by bikingpro911 » » in General Cannon Discussion
    3 Replies
    1266 Views
    Last post by MrCrowley
  • Pistons
    by ProfessorAmadeus » » in General Cannon Discussion
    18 Replies
    6196 Views
    Last post by carlbelcher
  • End cap pistons??
    by Mitchza89 » » in Pneumatic Cannons
    23 Replies
    4998 Views
    Last post by Mitchza89
  • pistons
    by Deko » » in Pneumatic Cannons
    16 Replies
    4854 Views
    Last post by MrCrowley
  • pistons
    by cannon monkey » » in Pneumatic Cannons
    4 Replies
    1031 Views
    Last post by Hubb