Visco Fuse Machine

[Blaf]

Hello guys

I don't know why it took me this long, but a week ago I came accross a site (or link on certain forum) and found an idea to make Visco fuse Machine!!! Yes, it's true - the guy making it swore it worked fine for him. According to the image of an assembled machine you would never say it works but as I said, guy says it worked perfectly when he needed it. The idea is not original, it's based on existing commercial machines used by Chinese manufacturers which are larger and heavier. And so, guess what I decided to do?
If my project ever comes to a daylight, I'll certainly make a few photos and post it (Gamekeeper, you'll be of a great help by arranging my images the same way you did with my ball-mill...) here for your viewing pleasure...and reference.

Enough for this time!

Blaf

[gamekeeper]

You can do it very easily yourself, just copy this simple HTML-code into your message:

<a href=[image url] target=_blank><img src=[image url] width=360 border=0></a href>

and replace [image url] by the url of the image you want to use.

This is only for large images, small images don't have to be reduced in size.

Example:

<a href=http://members.pyroforum.nl/gamekeeper/images/oudnieuw0304_05.jpg target=_blank><img src=http://members.pyroforum.nl/gamekeeper/images/oudnieuw0304_05.jpg width=360 border=0></a href>

<a href=' alt='' class='ipsImage' width="1000px" height="750px"> target=_blank><img src=' alt='' class='ipsImage' width="1000px" height="750px"> width=360 border=0></a href>

[Blaf]

I know, you expect to see something new here. Well, you're about to witness the birth of my fuse making machine. It will make wound threads for sure which should contain BP core in the middle - we'll see what comes out when I finish it.
I should place some photos of the assembly process so that you guys could do the same.

Blaf

[Blaf]

Here I am as promised

The first one shows parts of which the thing should be assembled: Roller bearing of 10mm inner dia, aluminium bar with plastic clamps at one end, aluminium rod of 10mm outher dia, two washers, plastic drive pulley and a plate stand. Plate means round piece of something thin on which rolls with cotton threads should be mounted...those of you familiar with the VISCO machine look should know what I'm talking about...
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This is the arm (which will hold round plate one day...or sooner) wiewed from aside. Sorry for imperfections...
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This one is razor sharp close image of rotating part of the arm – you can see all parts put together and I must say – it really rotates when you push it. Now I have to find suitable material for plates. Since all the rest is Alu and plastic, wood I guess doesn't belong here...
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Questions and suggestions are welcome!

Blaf

[-Pk-]

I've got to say it looks pretty good but I really can't seem to figure out how this little contraption of yours exactly works?

So I guess you attach three cotton strings to the end of each bolt and to a fixed point where they all come together, you hold the handle and move it backwards while you spin the middle part. But I can't see how the BP gets in the core if it's like this, well ... then I guess I'm wrong :?

[Blaf]

Pk, there you are (whichever rock I turn, you pop up...)!

You can see only one rotating base mounted on Aluminium arm. There will be two of them (the other one is asembled too) fixed on vertical construction at the certain distance, one above other. These rotating bases support round plates (diameter little less than common table plate), each supports one of them. Upper plate will have 12 vertical spindles holding cotton threads, while lower one should have 8 spindles. Threads from all upper 12 bundles will be wound and pushed down through middle of the rotating axis (aluminium tube) and down through lower tube (second plate) where they'll meet additional 8 threads from lower plate. The secret is that upper plate rotates clockwise while lower spins counterclockwise so that "rope" has two layers wound in oposite direction relative to each other. This should give the whole thing (read: fuse) strenght to keep the powdered core in the middle.
There are other little details about construction but I won't bother you with that. All rotating parts will be driven by rubber belts of various diameter wound over plastic pulleys, etc. Stop. No more.
The powder flow will be solved through conicaly shaped (mounted upside-down) vessel with little hole on the bottom. There are other consideratons regarding free powder flow but more of that when the time comes.

Pk, I know you're sweating now...

Blaf

[-Pk-]

Man I'm sweating like hell! You'll have to post some pics of your final work for me to understand it completely but I get the picture though.

Nice work! You're quite an inspiration :wink:

[deadman]

There is an thread at ukrocketry.com or is it net. Well on their forum there is a completed visco making machine. It looks very well. I don't know how people feel on allowing other forums to be mentioned, but knowledge is knowledge. Here's the link.
http://www.ukrocketry.co.uk/forum/index.ph...opic=1571&st=15
It's really quite interesting.

[Blaf]

Guys, the majority of work is done but the machine needs further adjustments. It looks pretty compact (which it really is) and it's easy to carry around. I turned it on just yesterday and wasn't quite happy with result. Namely, the threads coming out of it are rather loose because yarns need certain degree of tension as not to spin freely on their spindles. This should be solved somehow very soon. Other problem is powering the wheel onto which fuse comes wound at the end. It should spin very slowly and at constant speed so that fuse comes out of consistent diameter. These are few considerations I'm breaking my brains with lately. No images for now, written requests can be placed publicly here, though...

Blaf

p.s. The life of an amateur is miserable path full of obstacles.

[Blaf]

There are few images of the work in progress. First one shows the main drive shaft and its upper detail - roller bearing and plastic pulley with rubber belt around it. See how I placed the bearing between two plastic sheets and surrounded it by four 3mm screws...strange fixture, isn't it? Too much bright light on this image, sorry...
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The second one is a view at general construction, main fixture, two side "legs" which will hold rotating plates etc...more is yet to come...
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Blaf

[the antverpian pirate]

Hey Blaf

I'm pretty new on the forum but I've read all your topics and there realy was a lot of usefull stuff in there. Thanks :wink:
And your visco machine looks like it's comming together nicely, I cant wait till I see some pics of the completed machine.
Keep up the good work.

Kind regards Pirate

[Blaf]

Pirate, yo're gonna be astonished by my machine. It's electrically powered so no human intervention is needed. Ehmmm, well, except I still have to controll powder flow and help it a bit. Just be patient as a few final refinements have to be done.

Blaf

[the antverpian pirate]

I'm already astonished by your machines, you really have some skills working metal and pyrotechnics :shock:
Did you have a training as engineer or something or are you just that good with your hands?
But take your time to finish it but please post the pics because I'm dying to see what the complete machine is going to look like and if it works properly of course altough I don't think I have to doubt it'll be working :wink:

Pirate

[Blaf]

Do not rush me, please. The machine is in fact finished completely. I don't like yarns I presently have on it but these will be replaced by much better ones. But what's the most important, the Machine (see that bold capital "M") works!!! It even produces very nice looking and reliably working fuse! Oh yes, it does indeed! You'll see it very soon...

I know that Exhile is sweating somewhere right now, Duvel is taking tranquilizer pills, Gamekeeper is shaking in fear (what is this crazy Croat up to now...), and the rest of you guys keep your eyes wide open in anticipation...this is really important moment as Fuse is at the beginning of every single Pyro device. You can do nothing without it. And now, all of you keeping track of my first posts on Fuse subject where I was crying over Fuse shortage, now you will be surelly convinced that it is indeed possible to make your own Fuse Machine with little skill and imagination. I used what I had lying around my flat to assemble my machine. Almost nothing was purchased here, just used what looked like fitting the purpose. If I had a machine shop everything would have been looking like a dream, though.

I can feel great turmoil here...cool down guys, cool down, please!

Blaf

[the antverpian pirate]

Ok sorry for rushing and questioning if the Machine works :oops:
But you know how it is with the eagerness of youth.

Pirate

[Blaf]

And finally, for you pagans, nonbelievers etc...I'm posting an image which speaks for itself. I won't say anything here as whatever I say would pale out in comparison with images extreme detail. And yes, this is The Fuse made by my Machine! Does it work? You bet it does...and it's extremely reliable. Not to mention its beauty when burning...
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I made these two shots just to prove it works nice. This one is taken with flash ON and does not reveal much...you can see traces of tiny sparks coming out...
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This is taken with flash OFF and reveals rich flame and spark burst. This is not entirely true in real life but I couldn't adjust the shutter speed on my digital camera. Anyhow, it looks cool...
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I'm open for talk...

Blaf

[the antverpian pirate]

Ah that's one nice looking and burning fuse you got there Blaf :shock:
It even looks like it's burning better then my bought fuse does.
If I may ask what diameter is your fuse, the one I bought is 2.15mm thick while the fuses on my commercial fireworks that I have lying around here are about 1.65mm.

Pirate

[Blaf]

Mine is little less than 2mm in dia. I'm planing to implement thinner 100% cotton yarns so that it comes out of even smaller dia. But it's not necessary if you ask me. Burns nice, doesn't it?

Blaf

[the antverpian pirate]

So I realy have the fatboy fuse :oops:
Yep it burns nicely also good pics and there is a big difference with and without flash(what kind of flash do you use, I've got the KMnO4 type ok, sorry bad joke)
And a good idea to hold the fuse with pliers. When I was testing my fuse I put a small piece on my working table and lit it. I really was suprised that fuse on it's own had so much thrust, it was flying around my room like some kind of drunk fly.

[Exhile]

Exhile isn't sweating anywere:D

I must say you aren't a quitter Blaf, that fuse looks really nice, what do you think about a protective layer of string with a slurry of ping pong balls over it to make it protected against side sparks, that way you can make easy shells without bothering a blow true

[Blaf]

Ah there you are!
As for my fuse - it's been coated with NC lacquer already my friend. The layer of it could be too thin but it's just a matter of personal preference. The only difference between Visco and mine is colour of its coating and perhaps burning composition.
Exhile, your help and advice is needed elsewhere too - Pirate from Anwerpen needs explanations on KNO3 crystallization and solvents I couldn't provide. See BP blues topic or so...

Blaf

[Blaf]

Yesterday I made a few meters of my fuse but with BP/Aluminium mixture. It looks exactly the same with addition of sporadic glittering Al particles on outside layer. It burns at the same speed but brighter and hotter than pure BP fuse. This BP/Al mixture did not flow well through the funnel and some more attention had to be payed as well as some more agitation. Hope to find some good use for it. Test burn image will follow soon.

Blaf

[gamekeeper]

Nice fuse you made Blaf! Is free of fire jumps ? (sparks of the fuse ignite the fuse itself making it burn unreliable)

[Blaf]

Hello there!

Yes, it's free of flame jumps so far. What happened to Avatars, heh?

Blaf

[the antverpian pirate]

I don't know but shouldn't the fuse with BP/AL burn faster then the normal fuse? I know you tested it so if you say it's the same burn rate as normal it is, but I mean theoretically.
And your funnel - is it fixed or is there some kind of vibrating thingy on it so it shakes it's contents a bit so you don't have to do it yourself ?
Could you please post some pics of your Machine because i'm quite curious and maybe it also helps other people who read the forum to build their own or am I totaly blind and have it seen completely over the pics.

Pirate