RE: Fireworks Display And Igniters
I have used the model rocket igniters before but I prefer the E-Match igniters. For the most dependable ignition the E-Match can be placed end to end with the fuse using approximately one inch of heat shrink tubing. Use a heat gun with a temp control NOT a lighter to shrink the tubing around the fuse and igniter, this will keep the positioning correct.
Here is a link where I order the E-Matches from:
http://www.z11pyro.com/ Z11 PYRO SUPPLY Theatrical Pyrotechnics
I also mix my own powders (flash powders, propellant powders, color additives etc...), sticky fuse and pyro-paste, but many of these can be ordered also. Not depicted in the images are the 4 inch diameter tubes used for the home made balls. These balls have been created with all sorts of color additives with many types of smaller color ball combinations embedded within.
Building model rockets can also result in interesting payloads. One of the favorites we make contains a dozen bottle rocket heads (stick removed) packed just under the nose cone with the fuses inserted into a powder charge. The nose cone is formed from a pyro-paste containing various types of color additives, flash powder and propellant powder and allowed to dry and harden. This is also fussed in the same fashion as the bottle rocket head fuses. The inside end of the rocket engine is scraped so when the engine burn reaches peak level the powder charge is ignited and the bottle rocket heads are ignited and blasted out all over the sky. The nose cone fuse is also ignited at the same time and generally fires above the bottle rocket heads.
These are just a few of the little extras we have added over the years. And we do use very stringent safety precautions when mixing the various poeders and chemicals.
There is quite a number of friends and family that get together starting about this time every year to start the planning and design of the displays. The main idea or plan is using the C-class fireworks that can be purchased at any fireworks stand (Class-B fireworks requires a licence) to develop an interesting display that lasts approximately one to two hours with no dead sky (dead sky - no color no sparks for more than 2 seconds). Hand ignition has to be very organized to maintain our no dead sky rule.
Hence the implementaion of the PLC. The 2002 show went very well and everyone is really looking forward to 2003. Especially the PLC Techs I am training. I have gotten my work place on board with this and they agree that this is a very good training exercise for the maintenance personel. Safety of course will be strictly enforced and hopfully work will help foot some of the bill for the cabling and connector systems I am wanting to setup. I personally spend about a Grand for the fireworks and there are other members that bring in stuff also. Of course that doesn't include the PLC equipment I purchased on Ebay last year. I do some contracting work on the side so I already owned the RSLogix Software to do the PLC programming.
I really enjoy this type of work and it is great to have a hobby and training that come together so well.
Thanx Dan