History and Development of Blasting Machines
– The first satisfactory magnetic induction blasting machine was constructed in 1878 by Henry Julius Smith of Mountain View, New Jersey.
– Smith also patented a dynamo-electric igniting machine in 1886 and an improvement in magneto-electric machines in 1878.
– The history of blasting machines is documented in Peter O. K. Krehl’s book ‘History of Shock Waves, Explosions and Impact.’
– Henry Julius Smith’s patents include U.S. Patent no. 201,296 (1878), U.S. Patent no. 353,827 (1886), and U.S. Patent no. 534,289 (1895).
Design and Functionality of Blasting Machines
– A typical capacitive discharge blasting machine charges a capacitor from a battery.
– The capacitor is discharged through a firing line to fire the blasting cap.
– An internal shunt is connected across the output terminals to short-circuit stray voltages induced in the external circuit.
– This shunt prevents accidental triggering of the blasting cap by external sources like radio transmitters.
– Blasting machines often include an abort feature to discharge the internal capacitor without firing the cap.
Blasting Machines in Popular Culture
– The T-handle design of blasting machines is closely associated with Looney Tunes and the character Wile E. Coyote.
– Wile E. Coyote often uses explosive materials and blasting machines to capture or incapacitate the Road Runner.
– The association between blasting machines and Looney Tunes has become iconic in popular culture.
– The T-handle design is no longer in use, but it remains memorable through this cultural reference.
References and Additional Resources
– Peter O. K. Krehl’s book ‘History of Shock Waves, Explosions and Impact’ provides a chronological and biographical reference on the history of blasting machines.
– Blasters Tool & Supply Company’s BB-30 Blasting Machine is mentioned as a reference in the field.
– The specific page number referencing blasting machines in Krehl’s book is 365.
– The Wikimedia Commons has a collection of media related to blasting machines.
– The Blasters Tool & Supply Company’s website provides information on their BB-30 Blasting Machine.
– The Wayback Machine archives a page on the Blasters Tool & Supply Company’s website, specifically the BB-30 Blasting Machine.
– Accessing the archived page provides additional details on the BB-30 Blasting Machine.
External Links for Further Information
– Wikimedia Commons hosts a collection of media related to blasting machines.
– Further information on blasting machines can be found on the Wikimedia Commons page.
– The Blasters Tool & Supply Company’s website provides information on their BB-30 Blasting Machine.
– The Wayback Machine archives a page on the Blasters Tool & Supply Company’s website, specifically the BB-30 Blasting Machine.
– Accessing the archived page provides additional details on the BB-30 Blasting Machine. Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blasting_machine
A blasting machine or shot exploder is a portable source of electric current to reliably fire a blasting cap to trigger a main explosive charge. It is mostly used in mining and demolition.
The use of the term "machine" dates from early designs that used an electrical generator operated by winding a rotary handle or pushing down a T-handle. Modern blasting machines are battery-powered and operated by key switches and push-buttons, and do not resemble the older designs.