I've read from time to time that PVC is not a great material to use for accumulators, even though its use seems very widespread, or almost standard in the Indiana cannon arena. ABS seems to be more recommended based on its mode of failure so to speak. (It cracks instated of shatters from what I have gathered) My question is does anyone have any info on this they would like to share. I have built an abs accumulator for my destroyer torpedo, and want to be safe above all. I am near ready to test and wanted to gather the expertise from the forum before I blew my ears off, or something worse!:cry:
Kotori, Gascan, and I were talking about this at the build session last weekend. While my printer can print ABS cylinders and valve parts, we agreed that one could probably order ABS tubing from McMaster-Carr (or other places), and just print the normally machined parts. I have duly searched McMaster, and behold, they tubing is actually pretty affordable!! Linky: http://www.mcmaster.com/#plastic-hollow-rods/=oujue5
That is probably what I used to make mine! I got it from McMaster as well. I thought there was also ABS pipe available, much like PVC.... I will check into that also... I would agree that it would probably be far more cost effective to purchase the tubing, and print the parts that are more machining intensive. That would likely a pretty pricey tube to print, at least I would think, due to material costs..
Not so pricey due to materials, but due to the machine time to print the tube. Also, it's so easy to buy the tube that it doesn't make sense for me to print them Now I need to see what the inside of one of the valves looks like and do some engineering.
As far I know PVC was easy to procure, cheap, and could be glued to easily machined valve bodies made from PVC. For most it was a pros vs cons thing.
Lacking a mill, I am looking at alternatives Printing is easier for me, and very repeatable. First part of the plan is non-rotating cannons that fire 4 BB's in one volley for Age of Sail. So that eliminates one source of gas leaks in the firing path.
I can't wait to see some of your printed parts! Stupid termites interfering with the good things in life! (Certainly one of the good things it is interfering with above and beyond the quest for naval supremacy is also a very good thing..... NOT having termites!) I agree there are surely lots of reasons PVC is probably the most common material used on Indiana cannons, but availability and low cost are probably at the top of the list. Due to my design, I was even more concerned with the durability and saftey of PVC, so I went with abs.... I just need to try to verify its good enough. I could probably try to run an FEA analysis on it, but I'm really not proficient with the software.
