Event Launcher Station

Materials list. Tap a circle when bought. Tap Buy to open Amazon.

Safety check: standard PVC is not rated for compressed air. At 80-200 PSI it can shatter and throw shrapnel. Fine for low-pressure confetti testing behind a shield. For T-shirt pressures or anything rented to the public, use a rated metal tank for the chamber (see the tank option below) and keep the relief valve in.

How it connects

Air sourcepump or compressor Tire valve (fill port) Air chamber250+ cu inmetal tank for 100+ PSIPVC = low PSI only Pressure gauge Relief valve (safety) Bleed valve (empty it) Solenoid valveopens on power Tee fitting Barrel 13" x 12" Barrel 23" x 12" 45 degree angle, in the housing Relay + RF receiver433 or 915 MHz Powerbattery or 24VAC supply Master control panelkey fobs, 3D printed blue = air, orange = electric / signal

Engineering plan

  1. Phase 1: Safe bench test (no electronics)
    • Build the chamber, relief valve, gauge, bleed valve and tire valve first.
    • Fill to 30 PSI with the barrels removed. Check every joint with soapy water for bubbles.
    • Wear safety glasses and keep a polycarbonate shield between you and the rig.
  2. Phase 2: Add the valve and one barrel
    • Plumb chamber, solenoid valve, then one barrel.
    • Open the valve by hand with a battery or wires to test it fires.
    • Check the valve opens at low pressure (sprinkler valves can need a minimum PSI).
  3. Phase 3: Confetti tests
    • Start at 30 PSI, go up 10 PSI at a time.
    • Log pressure, confetti amount, height and spread for each shot.
    • Goal: the lowest PSI that gives a good burst. Then try smaller or larger chamber sizes.
  4. Phase 4: Add the wireless trigger
    • Wire the relay board to the power source and the solenoid.
    • Pair the key fob. Test range indoors and outdoors (aim for 100+ ft).
    • Add a fail-safe: relay off means valve closed. Test dead battery behavior.
  5. Phase 5: Two barrels with a tee
    • Add the tee and second barrel at 45 degrees.
    • Check both fire evenly and the shots do not collide.
    • Check the chamber refills fast enough between shots.
  6. Phase 6: Metal tank and higher pressure
    • Swap the PVC chamber for the rated metal tank before going above low PSI.
    • Set the relief valve just above your max working pressure.
    • Only now test T-shirt style loads, shielded and with distance.
  7. Phase 7: Housing and control panel
    • 3D print the bucket-sized housing with a wide, stable base.
    • Make sure the fill port, gauge and bleed valve are reachable.
    • Print the master panel for the key fobs or relay board.
    • Do a tip-over and vibration test.
  8. Phase 8: Repeat and prep for rental
    • Build 3 units, then 6, and test firing them together from one panel (pair each fob to its unit, or one fob for all).
    • Write setup, fill and shutdown instructions.
    • Check liability insurance, venue rules and fire safety before the first paid event.