Theory
Section
descriptions:
Coilgun
Basics 1, 2, 3 -
Brief
introduction to coilguns and instructions on how to build a simple table-top coilgun.
Electromagnetic
Basics 1, 2, 3, 4 -
Describes the basics
of electromagnetic forces and shows how these operate in general.
Coilgun
Fundamentals 1, 2 -
This section looks
at the principles involved in the operation of a coilgun.
Coil
Resistance -
If you don't have
a high resolution ohmmeter then this formula will give you a good approximation
to the coil resistance.
Optimised
Coil Parameters 1, 2, 3 -
Find out how the
circuit resistance and coil parameters affect the current density and field strength
in the coil.
Coil
Power Handling -
Make sure that
you don't melt your coils. Find out how to estimate the temperature rise.
Inductance
Measuring -
A transient technique
is described which can be used to determine the inductance of a
coil.
Inductance
Calculation -
FEMM can be
used to determine the approximate inductance of a coil operating
at low frequencies.
Switching
Devices -
This describes
the most common semiconductor devices which can be used in a coilgun system.
Triggering
Circuits -
The main types
of triggering are discussed and some example circuits are given.
Measuring
Speed -
How fast does your
coilgun fire that projectile? This explains two methods which can be used to tell
you just that.
Projectile
Design -
If you want your
projectiles to go ballistic then think about some of these design issues.
Metallic
Tubes -
Metal accelerator
tubes mean one thing, eddy currents. This section shows how to reduce eddy current
paths in a metallic tube.
Coil
Construction Issues -
High power coilguns
experience large dynamic forces so the coils need to be constructed with inherent
strength. Some simple ways to achieve a strong coil are discussed.
Energy
Sources -
Suggestions about
what can be used to power a coilgun.
Mathematics
-
Covers some of
the math used in electromagnetics.
Finite
Element Software -
A brief look at
two free finite element numerical field solution packages, Quickfield and FEMM.
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