Aluminum tape was a material I wanted to investigate for its availability, strength, and conductivity. I cut two pieces, so they followed the training knife edges. Unlike the liquid tape, aluminum tape stuck to the rubber knife well.
Solder would not stick to the tape. Sanding first might have made it possible, but heat damage was a possibility, so the wires were left alone. A rubber band went around the blade which held the high voltage wires against the aluminum tape. The voltage generator from the previous prototype powered this design but was not attached to the handle. The generator's whine was audible, but there was no electrical arc. When the roll of aluminum tape sat near the edge of the knife, the electricity jumped.
When I showed the group this method, someone asked if an arc would develop without holding it near a conductive surface. Both pieces of tape were peeled and positioned close to the edge. The narrow gap sparked reliably when the switches were pressed.
Another question from my group was the flexibility and durability of the tape. To test, the knife was pressed against a bed mattress, and the flex was photographed. The tension was visible, but the tape did not break and only crinkled a bit when released.
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2019-05-15
Aluminum tape applied to knife surface
Solder would not stick to the tape. Sanding first might have made it possible, but heat damage was a possibility, so the wires were left alone. A rubber band went around the blade which held the high voltage wires against the aluminum tape. The voltage generator from the previous prototype powered this design but was not attached to the handle. The generator's whine was audible, but there was no electrical arc. When the roll of aluminum tape sat near the edge of the knife, the electricity jumped.
Sparking across the blade
When I showed the group this method, someone asked if an arc would develop without holding it near a conductive surface. Both pieces of tape were peeled and positioned close to the edge. The narrow gap sparked reliably when the switches were pressed.
Sparking without a nearby conductor
Another question from my group was the flexibility and durability of the tape. To test, the knife was pressed against a bed mattress, and the flex was photographed. The tension was visible, but the tape did not break and only crinkled a bit when released.
Aluminum tape bend test
First time here?
Completed projects from year 1
Completed projects from year 2
Completed projects from year 3
Completed projects from year 4
Completed projects from year 5
Completed projects from year 6
Disclaimer for http://24hourengineer.blogspot.com and 24HourEngineer.com
This disclaimer must be intact and whole. This disclaimer must be included if a project is distributed.
All information in this blog, or linked by this blog, is not to be taken as advice or solicitation. Anyone attempting to replicate, in whole or in part, is responsible for the outcome and procedure. Any loss of functionality, money, property, or similar, is the responsibility of those involved in the replication.
All digital communication regarding the email address 24hourengineer@gmail.com becomes the intellectual property of Brian McEvoy. Any information contained within these messages may be distributed or retained at the discretion of Brian McEvoy. Any email sent to this address, or any email account owned by Brian McEvoy, cannot be used to claim property or assets.
Comments to the blog may be utilized or erased at the discretion of the owner. No one posting may claim property or assets based on their post.
This blog, including pictures and text, is copyright to Brian McEvoy.
2019-05-15
Comments
Post a Comment