Popped my first balloon .....

[platinum]

Didn't mean to come off so harsh, but you get my drift. Thanks for the civil reply.

- J

Wow sorry...

I couldn't get a hold of him via email or PM is all, so I checked the latest post of his.

Didn't mean to cause such a disruption...

[db3306]

I use to have a problem with people using N2O balloons at my parties and this might be a good way to end it
What DAC are you using? And did you write the software yourself?

[dsli_jon]

Laser-sniper! Love it! ..now, let's see the 'sequel'... with waterballoons! (..prolly-best, outdoors, yah..)

Zoof = LaserRockStar...

j

[swamidog]

not water balloons... oxy-acetylene balloons.

Laser-sniper! Love it! ..now, let's see the 'sequel'... with waterballoons! (..prolly-best, outdoors, yah..)

Zoof = LaserRockStar...

j

[michelrietveld]

love to use this at home, any chance?

[mccarrot]

love to use this at home, any chance?

Yeah at home on you cat, dog, child, wife.

Sounds like the perfect toy for home.

[michelrietveld]

a request for enhancement : include an automatic musquito detector, lets hunt those anoying bloodsucking beasts down, o no, there is one on my back, zap.......

just kidding.

[Zoof]

not water balloons... oxy-acetylene balloons.

Just thinking.....
what would work as an igniter? Had my hopes on cap gun rounds but they will just slowly burn and smoke. Heating them in a flame sets them off but the beam is apparently not 'hot' enough.
Match heads are too slow to catch fire and only work at very close proximity... any other ideas that can be made from legally aquired materials? Or is this a too sensitive topic?

[Fenechlaser]

Why don't you try a small black plastic bag filled with Potassium permanganate (KMnO4 for the chemists around here) held over a metal container with a small amount of glycerine.

Laser = bag melts = KMnO4 onto glycerine...... (wait a few seconds / minutes) = violent purple colored flame

The only problem is that as I mentioned, it takes a bit of time and the exact amounts need to be tinkered with - but the chemicals are all available legally.

Else try igniting the percussion sand as I call it - little bags with impact sensitive chemicals. You throw them to the floor and they make a spark and popping sound. I don't know if they'll ignite with a laser, but worth a try.

Another possibility would be iodine with ammonia - the precipitate formed is very touch sensitive. Cons: iodine is VERY expensive (at least in Malta ) and the stains are unforgiving...

Edit - Have you tried GUNPOWDER / BLACK POWDER? It's already black so there is no problem with energy absorption
Happy explosions

[dash8brj]

This beats any of the pointer based (and even module based) balloon popping/match lighting/tape cutting video by far. Great work!

[steve-o]

Fill the balloons with butane or propane gas?

[Fenechlaser]

Fill the balloons with butane or propane gas?

But then where is the ignition source? Balloons pop since the latex burns/melts and the tension in it causes it to tear catastrophically. In this situation the flashpoint is not reached by the laser beam. You would need a very high power laser to ionize the air which in turn may ignite the flammable gas. Matches would work since they only need to reach a temp of + 350 degrees (try lighting one with a soldering iron at full power) at least on the surface, then chemistry kicks in and a very energetic oxidation reaction takes place aka, the flame.

What would be more appropriate is oxy acetelyne mix or ethylene. Very reactive mixture, but I don't know if it will reach its flashpoint with the laser.

What I don't know is if crushed match heads darkened with a bit of marker would act as an ignition suitable for this application. Else black powder. Wait if black powder works, then flares and stuff can be lighted with this setup

[mixedgas]

I love the warning tone going off before the cutting starts. Nice professional touch. LOL, Great, made my day.

Steve

[Silvershot]

.. and it will not be made available to the community.

However, *fingers crossed*

[dash8brj]

I love the warning tone going off before the cutting starts. Nice professional touch. LOL, Great, made my day.

Steve

Yes very "Geek Groups Thumper" style with the warning tone - which sounded a lot like my federal signal 4050 horn - loud obnoxious horn I fire a couple of blasts on before discharging my 2.5kj capacitor bank

[lasersbee]

Just read the tittle and stopped in to see who was getting a thrashing
posting about Popping Balloons....

This has got to be the best Balloon Popping video I've ever seen...
I've got to build me one of those for personal protection.....

Jerry

[White-Light]

I'd be tempted to try a hydrogen / air mix.

However, outdoors only and there are risks which I'm sure you're aware of given that that volume of H / air is very explosive. ie beware unintended ignition and subsequent burns / loss of limbs! There may be some way of safely mixing the two from afar.

I'd be careful of some of the suggested chemical mixes above, especially those involving ammonia as many of those compounds could be legally classed as explosives thus leaving you open to explosive charges. I'm not aware of anything in relation to H / air but just be careful. BTW steer away from H / O2 as O2 is an oxidising agent thus greatly increasing the risk of accidental ignition.

[Fenechlaser]

I'd be careful of some of the suggested chemical mixes above, especially those involving ammonia as many of those compounds could be legally classed as explosives thus leaving you open to explosive charges.

As far as I know in europe the only dangerous explosive is ANFO. What I suggested should be done in small quantities and the precipitate kept moist as if dry it will explode, even by a small insect. As an explosive it is too unstable, however its burning speed is not enough for detonation if I remember correctly.. I should have pointed it out before - safe when wet, explosive when dry. It has survived throughout history as a practical joke.. An for huge quantities it would be way expensive. However, compared to H2/O2 it is much safer since it is STABLE when wet...

[dash8brj]

Just read the tittle and stopped in to see who was getting a thrashing
posting about Popping Balloons....

This has got to be the best Balloon Popping video I've ever seen...
I've got to build me one of those for personal protection.....

Jerry

I looked at the title as well and thought "ok whos the newb to the forum who thinks laser pens and balloons are the in thing here". I was surprised and pleased when the video youtube clip preview frame appeared, and had a fair idea of whats gonna happen here. A dozen balloons and a terminator lock-on sight on each one of them. Guys gotta be busting them with his projector

I'm still very impressed the program can be "programmed" like that and be told to shoot at a dozen co-ordinates using a game pad :P