Purpose
FireBolts, a term coined by the Team, are 1/4-20 bolts with E-matches glued in. They are used in Tender Descender modifications and also to ignite pyrotechnically operated pistons on the Team.
There are two types of FireBolts. Standard FireBolts (simply called FireBolts) have one e-match glued in. They are used when there are redundant separation devices (e.g. Tender Descenders). FireBolt Jumbos have two e-matches glued in. They are used when there is only one separation device with only one propellant charge (e.g. HADES piston or AARDs).
As of 11/7/18 there is an unresolved issue with the e-match shorting on the steel screw. One proposed solution is to use nylon screws instead.
Version I
Version I FireBolts were used in the 2017/2018 school year. They flew on Hermes I. They consisted of an untaped 1/4-20 by 1/2" bolt with one e-match. There was a variant called FireBolt Jumbos with two e-matches per bolt.
No manufacturing procedure was recorded.
Version II
Version II FireBolts were used in the Fall semester of 2018. They... Unknown User (premc@mit.edu)
FireBolt Manufacturing Procedure - Version 2
Version III
Procedure for Manufacturing FireBolts Version III
FireBolt Manufacturing Log
| Serial Number and Sharpie Color | Date of Manufacture | Name of Manufacturer | Type of e-match (e.g. MJG Firewire) | Initial Resistance | Initial Resistance Inspection Pass/Fail | Version | Firebolt Material (SS/Nylon) | Mixing Time | Gluing Time (end) | Sealant Inspection Notes + Pass/Fail | Final Resistance | Resistance Inspection Notes + Pass/Fail | Other Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 11/11/18 | Madeline J + Prem C | Off brand | 1.4 | Pass | II | SS | 5:09:45 | 5:15 | Pass | 1.3 | Pass | a little indent |
| 1 | 11/11/18 | Madeline J + Prem C | Off brand | 1.4 | Pass | II | SS | 6:40 | Fail | 1.3 | Pass | bubble | |
| 2 | 11/11/18 | Madeline J + Prem C | Off brand | 1.1 | Pass | II | Nylon | 6:25 | Pass | 1.2 | Pass | Very nice | |
| 3 | 11/11/18 | Madeline J + Prem C | Off brand | 1.15 | Pass | II | Nylon | 6:00 | Fail | 1.1 | Pass | deep, thin hole | |
| 4 | 11/11/18 | Madeline J + Prem C | Off brand | 1.3 | Pass | II | Nylon | 6:25 | Pass | 1.3 | Pass | Very nice | |
| 5 | 11/11/18 | Madeline J + Prem C | Off brand | 1.1 | Pass | II | Nylon | 6:40 | Pass | 1.1 | Pass | very nice | |
| 6 | 11/11/18 | Madeline J + Prem C | Off brand | 1.2 | Pass | II | SS | 6:40 | Fail | 1.1 | Pass | deep, thin hole | |
| 7 | 11/11/18 | Madeline J + Prem C | Off brand | 1.2 | Pass | II | Nylon | 6:25 | Pass | 1.2 | Pass | ||
| 8 | 11/11/18 | Madeline J + Prem C | Off brand | 1.2 | Pass | II | SS | 6:00 | Fail. 1/4 sealant hole. | 1.1 | Pass | Don't be afraid to fail parts | |
| 9 | 11/11/18 | Madeline J + Prem C | Off brand | 1.3 | Pass | II | Nylon | 6:00 | Pass | 1.25 | Pass | Very nice | |
| 10 | 11/11/18 | Madeline J + Prem C | Off brand | 1.2 | Pass | II | SS | 6:00 | Pass | 1.2 | Pass | ||
| 11 | 1/7/19 | Jakob C + Prem C | Off brand | 1.4 | Pass | III | SS | 6:24 | 37.64-10.11 | ||||
12 | 1/7/19 | Jakob C + Prem C | Off brand | 1.3 | Pass | III | SS | ||||||
| 13 | 1/7/19 | Jakob C + Prem C | Off brand | 1.3 | Pass | III | SS | ||||||
| 14 | 1/7/19 | Jakob C + Prem C | Off brand | 1.3 | Pass | III | SS | ||||||
| 15 | 1/7/19 | Jakob C + Prem C | Off brand | 1.4 | Pass | III | SS | ||||||
| 16 | 1/7/19 | Jakob C + Prem C | Off brand | 1.4 | Pass | III | SS | ||||||
| 17 | 1/7/19 | Jakob C + Prem C | Off brand | 1.2 | Pass | III | SS | ||||||
| 18 | 1/7/19 | Jakob C + Prem C | Off brand | 1.1 | Pass | III | SS | ||||||
| 19 | 1/7/19 | Jakob C + Prem C | Off brand | 1.2 | Pass | III | SS | ||||||
| 20 | 1/7/19 | Jakob C + Prem C | Off brand | 1.2 | Pass | III | SS | ||||||
FireBolt Firing Log
| Serial Number and Sharpie Color | Date of Firing | Individual(s) Responsible for Integration | Pre-Integrated Resistance | Use (flight, test, inventory inspection) | Pyrotechnic Device | Type of Pyrotechnic | Amount of Pyrotechnic | Notes on Setup | Resistance at Current Source | Name of Current Source | Current and Voltage Used | Notes on Firing (success/failure/unsure, blew out, melted, etc.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 11/13/18 | Prem | 1.9 | Piston Test | --- | --- | --- | Cap sheared off | --- | --- | --- | Cap sheared off while screwing into NPT plug |
| 5 | 11/13/18 | Prem | --- | Shear force testing | --- | --- | --- | Reasonable resistance caused shearing | --- | --- | --- | Nylon is weaker than stainless steel |
| 3 | 11/20/18 | Prem + Jakob | --- | Recovering Plug | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | Impressive cloud of smoke released |
| 0 | 11/24/18 | Prem + Maggie | 1.5 | Piston Test | Piston | Black Powder | .1 g | No AV bulkhead | --- | Blast Chamber Power Supply | 12 V | Blew through epoxy |
| 10 | 11/24/18 | Prem + Maggie | 1.2 | Piston Test | Piston | Black Powder | .1 g | No AV bulkhead | --- | Blast Chamber Power Supply | 12 V | Successful |
| 8 | 1/7/19 | Jakob | 1.3 | Water Proofness | --- | --- | --- | Dunked in water then ingnited | --- | 9 V battery | 9 V | Successful |