Air Powered RC Car

I decided to use syringes in my air powered car V2 and set about designing a slider valve system for the inlet and exhaust ports. Little did I know that the slider valve concept was also used in a kids toy, just with a far better design and custom made piston rings.
3D printer STL files: www.thingivers...
Air powered car V1: • Air Powered Car
Air powered car (US): amzn.to/2Dnibef
Air powered car (UK): amzn.to/2B9EbIh
3D Printer filament sponsored by 3D Printz UK: 3dprintz.co.uk/
Enjoy my videos? These are made possible due to help from my Patrons. If you wish for me to continue making videos, please consider supporting my efforts: / tomstanton
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My Other Equipment:
Main camera - amzn.to/2vlvlC6
Main lens - amzn.to/2gMrhru
Main tripod - amzn.to/2tqRjBt
Secondary Tripod - amzn.to/2t1NkMh
Microphone - amzn.to/2uuv9n0
Audio recorder - amzn.to/2v3mjcG
Banggood affiliate: www.banggood.c...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[@neilsg2001]

Could you print a plastic sleeve to strengthen the syringes?

[@TomStantonEngineering]

Yes, now that you mention it, I'm sure that would be possible! The only other issue I've realised since purchasing the kit is the high friction of the syringe 'piston rings'. USWaterRockets left a comment describing the clever design of piston rings used in the kit, which would be very difficult to replicate using the equipment I currently have. Thanks

[@spaceknight4775]

Or put them in some epoxi

[@misamokuzelpizu]

​@@TomStantonEngineering maybe you could use the softness of the syringes and decrease friction by using syringe-sleeves that are not super tight but with some clearance, about 0.2 mm or something, so that the hihg pressure widens the syringe ? i dont know if that would work or if the little piston would just be pressed harder to the wall and friction wouldnd change .

[@misamokuzelpizu]

but maybe its a dead horse by now. the modded factory car works pretty well

[@zz9pa]

@@TomStantonEngineering Can you not print the rings using TPU to make something similar - but still keep with the 3D printed concept ?

[@letsgocamping88]

Tom, an idea for a future video. Water rockets! Multi stage ones with remote controlled launcher and recovery chutes

[@patrickwatkins7572]

fantastic idea, i wonder what the world record is for 2litre rocket

[@ET_AYY_LMAO]

Check out AirCommandRockets here on youtube if you find that stuff interresting. Its a really old channel, lots of videos about multi stage water rockets :)

[@2testtest2]

I second this. I have made some experiments my self, adding fins, and making a retaining mechanism, so I could go up to much higher pressures. had a bottle go roughtly 100m horizontally, and 30m high with 8 bars and 3/4 filled bottle (you can have more water at higher pressures). Never found the bottle though, as it went in to a big field. After that I canceled all further launches though, as the bottle was aimed straight up, not to the side....

[@willinglis3302]

Thirding]

[@patrickwatkins7572]

@@2testtest2 impressive results. i acheived almost those numbers with the kids toy water rocket and a premium bike pump... never heard of using a mechanical turbine too create virtical thrust... hard too imagine efficency gains ;-)... although if it works, i would like too post a following video too me peerpetual motion gravity mechanical amplifier kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y6iupIF9irF7hbs

[@jan-zz4ww]

Airpowered go-cart with a 300 bar 50L bottle!

[@hamood1234fool]

yes huge bottle.

[@redsquirrelftw]

That sounds dangerous. And fun.

[@sprk_music]

don't think you need 300 bars for this tho

[@GrandadIsAnOldMan]

Excellent modification. That ran for ages, would be fun to see it outdoors on a bigger circuit.

[@Slider2732]

Was going to send you the link to this vid..it's a car that's right up your street :)

[@GrandadIsAnOldMan]

@@Slider2732 I have had my eye on them for a while but you know me, won't pay more than £1 for anything if I can avoid it so we will have to wait for one to turn up in a charity shop 😆

[@rasmus9311]

Hope you will revisit with your own design

[@wesleyson21]

He could try glass syringes instead. I've seen them used as cylinders in an internal combustion engine before so I'm sure they can handle higher pressures.

[@lamarched21]

Or he could reinforce the syringes with a 3D printed part

[@LaggerrLover]

So i can conclude. Either using glass syringe Or make a engine block from 3D printer. And the plastic syringe as inner cylinder..

[@notserpmale03]

I agree, the video was actually really disappointing,

[@laharl2k]

Use glass syringes, im sure those can do more pressure and they are really air tight without lots of friction from the rubber. The only problem will be cutting the holes for which you'll need a diamond bit or cutting wheel for your dremel.

[@adrianschmidt5564]

Or some hot tool. Much better in pre-stressed glass since it will break if you cut holes forcefully into it.

[@pigeonsmlgsus9784]

@@Leadvest Bro, are you using a Canadian multi language keyboard? Because that is not an apostrophe.

[@crackedemerald4930]

But they be like those old cast iron cannons, works well, until it explodes on you face

[@NeuralEngin33r]

Polycarbonate syringes exist and would be easier to drill

[@dickmansucker1972]

What if they explode. Glass shrapnel doesn’t sound pleasant. I think a 3D printed shroud that would fit tightly around the plastic syringe and reinforce it would be a good idea.

[@miniman3112]

Sorry you couldn't explore your first design, looked so promising. Hats off to the toy designers!

[@MinecraftMad0]

that slider valve thing is what steam engines did about 100 years ago. also, if you found a way to apply pressure to both sides of the piston, it would work better(steam engines did this as well about 100 years ago)

[@MobiusHorizons]

Consider adding tape to the walls of the syringe to allow it to hold the pressure. Also you will probably want to add oil to the rubber seals to reduce friction. The oil should make a big difference, and if you choose grease instead of oil, it might even increase the pressure before the piston leaks.

[@need4drift]

Well done dude. Thiner tyres equals less friction, more speed and longer run times. Plus thin silicone oil for moving parts. Thanks for sharing!

[@legoguyschannel8227]

This right here is the future of automotive transport

[@jasonhornby3161]

You can wrap the syringes with a spiral of copper wire then cover the whole bit with epoxy and that will eliminate the stretching and bulging. I love what you have done.

[@MCsCreations]

Fantastic work, Tom!!! 😃 A lot of people already gave you suggestions (like 3d printing a syringe sleeve, using epoxy and so on). So the only tip I would give you is: DO NOT use glass syringes. Because, if they explode... Well, safety glasses won't help a bit.

[@JMMC1005]

He could sleeve them with a bit of brass tube if he was worried. Or just use the brass tube as his cylinder.

[@MCsCreations]

@@JMMC1005 That's actually a good idea!

[@modelnutty6503]

wrapping them with several layers fiberglass cloth and epoxy would stop the plastic expanding too, it'd also build up some thickness for tubing connectors to grab/glue into.

[@Dust599]

get some soda bottles pre forms, use that vs syringes, you will need to find a suitable rubber washer

[@locouk]

Glass syringe’s are available on eBay uk, they’re about £3 each

[@MCsCreations]

Yeah... Imagine they exploding. 😐

[@Warriorcat49]

MC's Creations That’s when you cover them in plastic/epoxy, like car windshields.

[@MCsCreations]

@@Warriorcat49 Dude, ANYTHING with pressure enough can explode. Even stars... And sometimes it really happens.

[@Warriorcat49]

MC's Creations Okay, I’m aware. Just saying that bonding a flexible material on top of them would strengthen them and also give the added benefit of helping to prevent glass shards from going everywhere in the event of a breakage.

[@MCsCreations]

@@Warriorcat49 Oh, that's true. I had misunderstood your previous comment. 😊

[@aGuyNamedEr1c]

Very cool stuff. We had toy cars like this in the 80's, not controllable though. They were more like a pneumatic wind up car.

[@joshuawfinn]

Ok, that was super impressive. Had no idea that thing could keep going that long!

[@vagcentral2252]

I would recommend making 3D printing a bracket that goes around the large diameter bottle and conect a 360 servo so it keeps pumping it up! Like the crank of a engine

[@paytyler]

Now all you need is regenerative braking, a CVT and an electric or gas engine to make a hybrid that would be the envy of all the car manufacturers.

[@JoseRamos-su3ep]

Next time you try this, consider making your own o-ring seal, try using Felt, cut out a small disc that can be secured between an upper and lower “piston half” lubricated with light sewing machine oil.

[@zman97211]

You could wrap the syringes with a string that does not stretch, in a nice tight single-layer spiral. Mix up some epoxy and coat the string. That'll hold a lot of pressure.

[@zman97211]

Sort of like how we repair ruptured pipes in the Navy: goo.gl/images/w45Yuq Or like attaching a metal pushrod to a wooden dowel in an RC plane: goo.gl/images/WUWSFH

[@zman97211]

Perhaps if you put a little lubricant in the syringes you could get back some of the friction loss.

[@zman97211]

At the end, you pulled that tube out. You now need a valve that opens and simply thrusts with a nozzle (of course, engineered to the right specs!) when that becomes more efficient, to get that last 15 or 20 (or more, you wasted a lot by letting it freewheel!).

[@zman97211]

I would also love for you to break down how the one you bought from Amazon worked. Maybe even a tear-down of the interesting parts.

[@zman97211]

Love your videos, by the way :)

[@mavericm4]

Time to revisit your air powered plane using these slider value motors from the car since they appear to be much more efficient and work well

[@martijnellenbroek6448]

8:20 you should print a part which fits tightly around it, so the 3d printed part will make it strong

[@jo2xa]

A plastic bottle pumped to 60 psi with what's basically a bullet mounted to the end of it. You crazy, man!

[@MrRolnicek]

What I'd LOVE to see is use your own design and either put a pressure regulator in that only allows the pressure your syringes can work at (if possible). Or even better use STEAM POWER. You know how cool it would be to have a steam powered RC car? The steam will build pressure slowly so you could keep it at 15psi and leak out any excess. Of course your piping and pistons would have to withstand high temperatures so maybe a full redesign would still be needed. But STEAM POWER, imagine that!

[@kevineads8181]

Mr.Stanton you could use clear ridgid acrylic tube to make you initial design it should hold up to the pressure you were trying to achieve. Great video. Cant wait see more.

[@ViniciusSilva-nu1pl]

Tom, parabéns por sua excelência com idéias inovadoras! Você futuramente aperfeiçoará essa tecnologia de forma absoluta. Abraços!

[@RelianceIndustriesLtd]

now you need a transmission system..gears will help you run even at very low pressures thereby allowing you to use up all the pressure

[@kenshelhamer9816]

A five cylinder radial would be self starting. Neat car!

[@thecircutandgameguy1018]

you should try to use glass syringes and if the pressure is too high maybe create 3d printed mounts for it to hold it together

[@blastsphere2007]

I'd enjoy watching videos where you take existing products, do a break down and explanation of their working and then upgrade and improve them for better performance.

[@zero_gravity5861]

Maybe if you used polycarbonate pipe, they wouldn’t bow out and you could use the same syringe cylinders.

[@sabre0smile]

3D printed piston + Perspex cylinder + Orings for seal + oil for lubrication I've found do very well! For future projects!

[@jarenhudson9794]

Its nice to hear that your having a blast building things. I love channels like this.

[@kevin-pk6hd]

Ground glass syringes are fairly inexpensive and can take the higher pressure as a bonus they also have lower friction. Im currently using them as mini hydraulic actuators

[@KurNorock]

I would have just printed some sleeves for the syringes so that they could hold higher pressure. Hell, you could even just wrap them tightly with duct tape.

[@echo9082]

I'm sure you could reinforce those syringes by wrapping something around them, maybe a durable sting/fibre

[@michaelbujaki2462]

If you are still doing cars, I recommend putting a differential between the rear wheels.

[@davelall5467]

Tom this is some amazing stuff man! I feel like more people should see the work you do! Keep doing what you do best! 👍

[@Talaxianer]

Would be interesting to place a pressure sensor inside the bottle an look how it changes over time

[@wierdalien1]

You've made a triple expansion engine, but in reverse. this literally how old triple expansion engine paddle steamers work.

[@willly5214]

You need differential steering. It’s a pretty interesting mechanism and would be really interesting to see you try it.

[@Celcius1]

Tom, with your design you can use PVC tubing with 3D Printed cylinder gaskets as the PVC can resist the pressure especially if you use pressure pipe, but you would have to build your own cylinders using PVC pipe

[@youtubeguy3544]

You’re a certified smarty pants because I wouldn’t ever even come close to thinking of a design like that

[@johnandrew5958]

Imagine taking giant metal bottles, a real chassis and a very powerful valve system to make the fastest 1:1 air powered car

[@DEADB33F]

Did you consider adding some kind of regulator so that you'd have ~100psi in the reservoir with a regulated lower pressure being fed to the pistons/motor?

[@katierscott8771]

New variation - build an alternator into the rear axle to charge a super capacitor or 3 to power the electronics for the steering.. making it completely air powered!!

[@clausiusvulgaris5985]

So you've designed some kind of BMW's boxer engine, thats awesome :D

[@merlingallagher4484]

Just an idea, but there are pressure valves/cylinders (like the syringe) with a spring system to keep the pressure (more or less) constant. I would also use two alternating pistons to keep the speed and torque a bit more constant.

[@jonty1857]

Wow that ran for a long time! Surely there's a way you can convert this to run some propellers! A similar design could potentially be the furthest flying air powered plane you've done yet!

[@dpier45]

Tom, you should take science toys (like this air car) and mod them to make them even cooler more often!

[@angargoy7181]

Very good for the pneumatic system. regards

[@johnwilson7660]

A loss of resistance syringe might help with friction problems. Or just a little water might go a long way. Maybe an inline oiler or humidifier would keep things moving well and help maintain the seals. You might want to consider polycarbonate syringes for higher pressure applications, if you want to stick with plastic. The tubing could also be another component susceptible to expanding under pressure.

[@hothothotmale]

Put an extra set of cylinders from another kit and it can have 4 pistons for more total torque. Great job.

[@Asdayasman]

Put a spring around the syringes for structural integrity, if you can find some the right size.

[@JakesterK74uELITE]

See if you could add a speed booster by being able to toogle between air flowing to the piston and an exit port in the back of the car.

[@ivanjdrakov1957]

Your idea with the syringes and big rear wheels was really awesome, I really really wonder if you strengthened them syringes - how far would you have made the car go?! :) Sweet

[@waquee12]

Wow that's impressive! ...If only you could get your air powered plane to run that long

[@raypilot9958]

you could try using glass tubes that are shatter proof and lubricating the rubber plungers with grease or oil

[@thatoneperson2922]

you could design an custom housing for the syringes (maybe 5-10 mm thick) the would keep them from bugling.

[@RobinHilton22367]

Would be more interesting if you had a pressure gauge added that wirelessly transmitted the pressure reading to your remote so can estimate remaining distance available. Could also add an extra servo just to do the kick start/block one of the pistons from moving so can stop it.

[@EdwardLarson]

Toy Upgrades!!! Love it.

[@xxtrengt8871]

Great video, this slider valve is great !

[@andreashammargren751]

Now you NEED to implement those pistons into your air-powered airplane..

[@dgrois1]

Consider using a glass/graphite cylinder/piston actuator set. I think they are made by Airpot Corp. They may be available on Amazon.

[@Mini-z1994]

You can probably get the same pressure into a smaller bottle if you use one of those 1 litre soda stream bottles & modify the cap a bit so it seals up properly & then add that valve on the bottom ofc through the plastic piece. Perhaps another update could be attempting too design a container that's perhaps 3 - 2.5 litres instead & with a 60 psi limit & try some sort of plastic safe silicon oil in the syringes & any moving parts as well.

[@YeOldeSpellbooke]

That little car was quite impressive! :) Definitely will check out your mod project. Keep up the great work Tom!

[@siddharthas3692]

Yes i tried using a syringe for done air project thingy.. the plunger is too sticky, though the syringe itself could handle the pressure. The walls on the syringe i had were thicker.

[@iteerrex8166]

Nice mode. I can't believe for how long it just kept going and going and going. You should name it the Energizer Buggy.

[@diypumpchanneljedovcela4069]

use paintball air tank with pressure regulator as an air source. it can be pumped up to 200bar so it has a lot more air in it.

[@RafidW9]

that air powered toy car ran longer than all the battery powered rc cars I played with as a kid.

[@fraserlamb5787]

A few layers of tape would fix those syringes, a little steam oil would account of any leaks too.

[@Nicoblabla]

You can try to use quality glass syringes, They have like 0 frictions and are solid enough I think

[@stumpy1495]

Could you not have reinforced the syringes with some 3D printed banding?

[@stevemcdonald4400]

i really admire your brilliant mind...as an engineer, i hope you can see the Constrained Optimization evident in all creation, from the Atom on up..no way all this could happen without a purpose, had to be conceived in the mind of of God...no way around it.

[@dergrunepunkt]

I wish I can give you two thumbs up, with your vids I starting to get my son interested in engineering

[@arandomhobbychannel6718]

For better turning, try adding differential gearing. With differential gearing not only should it keep it from slowing, but also help speed up the car.

[@thoriso1000]

Great video Tom

[@Anquarza]

Large glass syringes, configure it with a V8 config (yes 8 syringe), add a regulator that is controlled by a gas pedal, add a large tank, add a clutch and a manual transmission, install it on a go cart or maybe a homemade vehicle

[@flyingfiddler90q]

You could have solved the syringe problem by putting a tightly fitting 3d printed sleeve over the syringe. The syringe makes a seal, and the 3d printed sleeve provides the strength.

[@dodo3441]

You could just use some acrylic or pvc tubing to replace the syringes, whilst keeping the cylinder.

[@MrThePaprika]

Hi maybe the sliding with valve isn’t the best option may be a rotating valve would be a better option so you don’t have to overcome the linear movement every time

[@Razor10021990]

You could have printed supporting tubes for the syringes. And also exchange those rubber seals with proper O-Rings, as you had already designed your own pistons. Adding a little lube helps also tremendously. Adding a throttle control, so you could stop the car or even adjust the speed a bit. I guess I have to start own Design.

[@khalilkafieh8099]

I’m early in the video so I don’t know if it works but wow what a cool idea! I particularly love the center syringe’s design and how it releases pressure.

[@Casey_Schmidt]

Very cool! You could also try to recover extra energy from with secondary piston that is fed from the outlet of upstream piston. It maybe wouldn't work at these lower relative pressures but it might be worth looking into!

[@robertosfield]

The great performance of the toy with mods makes me wonder if an air powered RC plane is possible use this toy as base.

[@vidznstuff1]

You could have used the syringe bodies as sleeves that are pressed into a 3D printed plastic block to keep them from rupturing...

[@Rouverius]

I still think you had something with the original idea. What about keeping the plunger seal but replacing the syringe barrel with a PVC or metal pipe of equivalent ID; possibly even a 3D printed part?

[@nicoleffke7306]

Hi Tom, first of all, great video as always. I had the idea to make the car fully powered by air so there is not even a battery for the receiver and servo. You could use a small generator to make this possible. A turbine would probably be too inefficient so you could use a small brushed 5-6v motor and gear it to one wheel maybe? You could add a turbine between the bottle and the cylinders tho. There it could work. Would certainly be cool to have a fully air powered RC car.

[@EliProtiva]

try an air dash pot, i made a sterling engine that ran from the heat of my hand with it. It has a graphite cylinder inside a glass tube. it runs on a laminar layer of air and has zero friction

[@sportsmentoringltd9286]

Tom this is awesome.....perhaps you could invent the steam engine next! Only kidding, however I do want to say thank you for all the videos and I'm pleased I've 'found you' on KZbin. You are an inspiration.

[@arpi7297]

ich schaue mir deine Videos und die Projekte alle an , für mich bist du ein genie top deine videos

[@girthquakuh]

Seems the motor needs a flywheel or some sort of rotating inertial device to keep it's torque up while turning.

[@teflonmike]

Was thinking maybe you'd try making your own syringes / pistons out of acrylic tubes or drilled rods and o rings, maybe lube them with silicone or something to get the friction down.

[@benholroyd5221]

Air C car. Thank you, I'm here all week.

[@Blubb3rbub]

So now we set up a baseline of what is possible with air engines and need to build or own that is as good as or even better, right?

[@ivanjdrakov1957]

Tom - you do realise that your design was way way more interesting and truly engendered sweetly by you. Try strengthening the syringes somehow... While this was impressive - your idea impressed me way more.. :-) sweet

[@anthonyrobertson1787]

Great Job Tom, now you need to make it where you have throttle and maybe some breakes 👍

[@chemicallust77]

Use bottle preforms...very small but can handle a lot of pressure

[@projunkes]

Since this air powered engine design seems very efficient and lightweight, you could consider using it in your plane; likely it will require some gears to get a higher rotation speed.