Web Shooters
" He invented webbing and he invented a shooter for it. It's brilliant really." -Chameleon
A web shooter is simply a device that fires webs. Duh. When Peter parker became spiderman, he couldn't just spin a web like a real one, but he was a chemistry genius. He used his head to create the most fantastic sci-fi invention since the lightsaber. There should be some discrepency between reality and fiction though These are the disclaimers.
First off.., a web shooter doesn't exist, technically. In reality, web shooters have been created, but since none of them fire "spider webs" none of them are true web shooters. I have seen pictures of a couple real "web shooters". I have experimented with a couple ideas too, but I haven't completed a successful prototype yet. I have created a device that fires liquid, but it was in essence a CO2 powered squirt gun.
Second, it doesn't actually fire webbing. The compound spun by the device is actually a polymer extrusion that is tough and flexible. It is similar to webbing in strength and looks. Real webbing is actually much more elastic and can't be replicated exactly without extensive lab equipment. I've actually had the honor of emailing Shmulik Ittah. He is one of the pioneer scientists who has created webbing in a lab, and he said something to the extent that no one can truly understand everything about this amazing material. This is true. The real webbing is said to be similar to Nylon, but it is completely synthetic.
Third, that scientists can't create one. I've been researching this topic and this is a frequent comment. The only question I would offer is, "Which scientists are actually working on this?" There are scientists that are creating plastics that are stronger than steel, scientists that are creating spider silk, and scientists that are making gas powered projectile launchers. How many practical reasons are there to have a web shooter that couldn't be replaced by another cheaper tool? No market means no money. No money equals no funding. No funding means no scientists research it.
Finally, I hear this point alot. There is no way Spiderman could fit that much webbing in little cartridges. To you, I'd say, I completey agree. I did the math on that point a while ago, and I actually figured out how much webbing was in a cartridge. It was something near 27851.8 inches cubed . To fit that in the cartridge that he ruptured, it would have had to expand around 7000 times it's original size. That it really ridiculous, even if you would suspend belief about the spider giving him powers. Now to combat that, I would state that the only way that was possible is if one were to compress the fluid to about 1/7th of its original volume and then expanded 1000x. Now I believe the second part of that. There are fire fighter foams and AB foams that can expand 1000x, but compressing a liquid is near impossible. That being said, you've been heard, I get you, and if these things do become a reality, then we will most likely make high pressure tanks.
So all of that being said, let's talk about the actual shooters themselves.
So believe it or not, the shooter is actually pretty straight forward. It is a wrist mounted containment vessel with a valve. To explain this, there are six basic compenents:
Pressure Vessel - this is what most people call a cartridge. It is a pressurized container of fluid.
Trigger- this is what activates the valve. It can be electric, a lever, a button, or a string.
valve- This is what controls the flow of fluid. It has to withstand alot of pressure. it is the 2nd most important feature.
nozzle- This is the part the changes the shape of the web. It can also be the most advanced part of this project.
cuff- This is what straps the valve to your arm.
Tubing- it connects the pressure vessel to the valve. This should be made of some form of metal.
Now this can be an easy project, or it can be difficult. You can add on. Peter's had a pressure gauge that measured the fluid and a double tap feature. Ben Reilly actually didn't compress his fluid. He had a piston that pumped air into it. These techniques are much cooler, but until I go to college, and unless someone would like to send me some tips, I'm going to stop much sooner unless I get some education that tells me otherwise.
To see pictures of actual designs and the bases for them, visit pictures and videos.
A web shooter is simply a device that fires webs. Duh. When Peter parker became spiderman, he couldn't just spin a web like a real one, but he was a chemistry genius. He used his head to create the most fantastic sci-fi invention since the lightsaber. There should be some discrepency between reality and fiction though These are the disclaimers.
First off.., a web shooter doesn't exist, technically. In reality, web shooters have been created, but since none of them fire "spider webs" none of them are true web shooters. I have seen pictures of a couple real "web shooters". I have experimented with a couple ideas too, but I haven't completed a successful prototype yet. I have created a device that fires liquid, but it was in essence a CO2 powered squirt gun.
Second, it doesn't actually fire webbing. The compound spun by the device is actually a polymer extrusion that is tough and flexible. It is similar to webbing in strength and looks. Real webbing is actually much more elastic and can't be replicated exactly without extensive lab equipment. I've actually had the honor of emailing Shmulik Ittah. He is one of the pioneer scientists who has created webbing in a lab, and he said something to the extent that no one can truly understand everything about this amazing material. This is true. The real webbing is said to be similar to Nylon, but it is completely synthetic.
Third, that scientists can't create one. I've been researching this topic and this is a frequent comment. The only question I would offer is, "Which scientists are actually working on this?" There are scientists that are creating plastics that are stronger than steel, scientists that are creating spider silk, and scientists that are making gas powered projectile launchers. How many practical reasons are there to have a web shooter that couldn't be replaced by another cheaper tool? No market means no money. No money equals no funding. No funding means no scientists research it.
Finally, I hear this point alot. There is no way Spiderman could fit that much webbing in little cartridges. To you, I'd say, I completey agree. I did the math on that point a while ago, and I actually figured out how much webbing was in a cartridge. It was something near 27851.8 inches cubed . To fit that in the cartridge that he ruptured, it would have had to expand around 7000 times it's original size. That it really ridiculous, even if you would suspend belief about the spider giving him powers. Now to combat that, I would state that the only way that was possible is if one were to compress the fluid to about 1/7th of its original volume and then expanded 1000x. Now I believe the second part of that. There are fire fighter foams and AB foams that can expand 1000x, but compressing a liquid is near impossible. That being said, you've been heard, I get you, and if these things do become a reality, then we will most likely make high pressure tanks.
So all of that being said, let's talk about the actual shooters themselves.
So believe it or not, the shooter is actually pretty straight forward. It is a wrist mounted containment vessel with a valve. To explain this, there are six basic compenents:
Pressure Vessel - this is what most people call a cartridge. It is a pressurized container of fluid.
Trigger- this is what activates the valve. It can be electric, a lever, a button, or a string.
valve- This is what controls the flow of fluid. It has to withstand alot of pressure. it is the 2nd most important feature.
nozzle- This is the part the changes the shape of the web. It can also be the most advanced part of this project.
cuff- This is what straps the valve to your arm.
Tubing- it connects the pressure vessel to the valve. This should be made of some form of metal.
Now this can be an easy project, or it can be difficult. You can add on. Peter's had a pressure gauge that measured the fluid and a double tap feature. Ben Reilly actually didn't compress his fluid. He had a piston that pumped air into it. These techniques are much cooler, but until I go to college, and unless someone would like to send me some tips, I'm going to stop much sooner unless I get some education that tells me otherwise.
To see pictures of actual designs and the bases for them, visit pictures and videos.
