1. UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO
Project 08
The Final Countdown
Andrew Wise
12/14/2009
The complete report chronicling the design of a paintball maker from conception to finished product.
4. 2 Introduction
The use of projectiles as weapons is as old as humanity itself. It started as rocks and spears, then
evolved into axes and bows and arrows, and eventually into firearms. But the transition from the
primitive weapons of natives to automatic rifles was not an immediate one. It happened in a series of
steps. From the musket came the rifle, then from the rifle came the breach loading rifle, then the
repeating rifle, then the bolt-action rifle, then the semi-automatic rifle, and then the automatic rifle over
a period of approximately 300 years. Progress was slow, but methodical.
If one looks at the paintball industry, there has been no such development. Paintball guns started at
semi or full auto and have remained the same ever since, skipping the centuries of research and
developed endured by their lethal counterparts. No one can argue with paintball’s results, when it
comes to firing mechanism, one has to wonder what the industry is still doing with ball-shaped
ammunition. With such fine engineering put into the rest of the gun, this oversight seems lazy.
2.1.1 Figure 1
Figure1: The Tommy Marker
3 Problem Statement
Project 08 will culminate in the design of a paintball rifle which fires conical shaped rounds, much like a
half or full football. From the typical paintball gun, several design features will be changed. The hopper
will be replaced by a drum magazine, most likely loading from the bottom. The barrel itself will be rifled.
The goal of the new design is to make paintball guns more accurate without sacrificing rate of fire, losing
too much in the line of carrying capacity, or pricing the design out of the market.
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5. 4 Research on Existing Products
4.1.1 Table 1
Gun Picture Features Price
Fires up to 15
balls per
second
Tippmann A5 Paintball .68 caliber
Gun with Response Field stripped $500
Trigger in under 60
seconds
MP5 style
sight
Quick and easy
field strip
JT Tac 5 Ultimate 14" sniper
Sleath Marker barrel $100
Paintball kit .68 Caliber
200 round
hopper
.68 caliber
2 step field
Brass Eagle
strip
Remanufactured T- $40
technology
Storm Marker
200 round
hopper
Table 1: Three different markers on the market with selected features
These are some gun from various price ranges. Aside from size, there are two features in common in all
three guns: The advanced pistol front grip and the quick and easy field strip. The pistol grip should be
included in my design. The quick and easy field strip also seems to be popular. I will take great care not
to over-design the gun.
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6. 4.1.2 Table 2
Load Picture Features Price
View Loader 200
200 Rounds $10
Road Hopper
170 rounds
22+ balls per
Halo B Electronic
second $80
Paintball Loader
20,000 round
battery life
Kingman Training 140 Rounds
$20
Pistol Mag Easy to reload
Table 2: Three different loading systems on the market with various features
By far the most popular method of loading is the hopper. However, with conical shaped ammo, the
hopper is impractical. The rounds must enter the chamber with a particular orientation. So a magazine
must be the order of the day. This magazine is designed for 9 mm paintball guns. The .68 caliber is about
twice as large. The straight magazine would be too big. I am contemplating a drum magazine.
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7. 4.1.3 Table 3
Barrel Pictures Features Cost
Tippmann Rifled, 16" $170
16"Straightli barrel
ne rifled .68 Caliber
barrel kit
Small Parts .68 Caliber $55
1 Piece All- Rifled (14-16")
American Barrel
Paintball
Barrel
BT Apex Adjust spin on $40
Barrel balls
Table 3: Three different barrels on the market with various features
Most barrels I am familiar with don't have rifling. It's just an empty tube. While the adjustable ball spin
sounds cool, the physics are too complicated for me without building a prototype. A rifled barrel was my
first instinct and I shall stick with it. Truth be told, I don't see any difference between the $55 model and
the $170 model.
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8. 5 Project Management
The biggest obstacle in completing this project to my satisfaction will be time management. As the
semester ends, time will get tight as several projects will come due and multiple tests will be scheduled
at the same time. The Gantt Chart, used universally in industry, is a great tool used to by real engineers
to keep their product design projects on track.
5.1.1 Gantt Chart
The Gantt Chart: For all your one-stop project management needs
Before the project can progress, there must be several design decisions made. Several different design
aspects could be incorporated for the final product.
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9. 5.2 Bullets
5.2.1 Figure 2
Figure 1: The Bullet Sketch
The round shown above is the consensus favorite. Initially, a more football shaped round was
considered, but this did not present much of a design improvement as the rounds would still greatly
resemble the ball shape which is precisely what I want to replace. The round is a 68 caliber is about an
inch long. It has a cylindrical section at the back, but is tapered via two arc to a point at the front. This
design should be much more aerodynamic than its predecessor.
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10. 5.3 Clips
5.3.1 Figure 3
Figure 2: The Straight Magazine Design
The straight, spring-loaded magazine is a classic and simple design. About 20 rounds are housed in the
15" magazine which feeds rounds into the gun. As a round is placed into the chamber, the spring will
advance every other round up the magazine. It is fairly fool-proof.
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11. 5.3.2 Figure 4
Figure 3: The Drum Magazine
The other design possibility is the drum magazine. The drum magazine operates under a similar premise
as the straight magazine: the rounds are hand fed into a drum track; after another round is accepted by
the chamber, the non-linear spring in the center of the barrel pushes the rounds along the track and
into up to the chamber. Due to its circular shape, the can hold almost two and a half times as much
ammunition as the straight magazine. It is also shorter and less awkward.
5.3.3 Design Table Analysis for Magazines
Capacity (50%) Reliability (25%) Size (25%) Total
Straight Magazine 20 20 10 50
Drum Magazine 50 15 10 75
Table 4: The Design Analysis Table for the Magazine
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12. The drum magazine is the loading method of choice for this paintball marker.
5.4 Barrels
5.4.1 Figure 5
Figure 4: The Barrel Design
Barrels come in various lengths. Luckily, however, barrels are interchangeable on most paintball guns.
This decision can be made by the individual shooter for his/her needs and/or preferences. I plan on
offering all four lengths with the same counter-clockwise twist as options.
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13. 5.5 Marker Design
5.5.1 Figure 6
Figure 5: The Tommy Gun
After the design of the drum magazine, the "Tommy Gun" design seemed like a no-brainer. It is an
enduring American symbol of both crime and corruption and law and order. Through its appearances
into movies like The Godfather, Dick Tracy, and Public Enemies, the Tommy Gun remains iconic and
would sell very well. The changes that would have to be made from a convention paintball gun are to
first move the CO2 tank into the stock in line with the chamber and barrel. The CO2 line which runs to
the front of the gun for blowback would now run over the top of the gun versus underneath the gun as
is customary for paintball markers. Also, a second pistol grip must be added to the front for that
authentic gangster look.
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14. 5.6 The Conventional Paintball Gun
5.6.1 Figure 7
Figure 6: The Conventional Design
5.6.2 Design Analysis Table 2
Firing
Reputation Appearances Total
characteristics
Tommy Gun 16 25 33 74
Conventional Gun 33 22 10 65
Table 5: the design analysis chart for the gun layout
The top loading gun is standard in the paint ball industry. With the newly designed magazines, this
design essentially mimics the design of every paintball gun ever made. While this might be the wisest
course of action, this option limits my creativity. The Tommy Gun is the ultimate choice.
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15. 6 3D CAD Modeling
6.1 CHAMBER ASSEMBLY
The Chamber Assembly is the most complicated in the entire marker. The assembly consists of fourteen
different pieces and every other assembly either bolts on or screws into it. Every part connects to the
CHAMBER. The chamber is a metallic shaft with two sixty-eight caliber holes running parallel inside. The
top hole is the actual chamber; this is from the bullet will be launched. The second hole, however, is just
as important. This hole houses the valve and springs that allow the marker to function. It is also
important to note that the TRIGGER ASSEMBLY and the LINE ASSEMBLY connect to the CHAMBER
ASSEMBLY via threads and slots in the bottom hole.
6.1.1 Figure 8
(A) (B)
Figure 7: 8(A) shows the Chamber; 8(B) shows the Chamber from a different angle
The chamber is itself was difficult to make not because the techniques were difficult (The several
extrusions, rounds, holes, and helical sweeps needed for the part have long since been mastered.), but
rather because there was no room for error. Not only did everything have to fit but it had to fit in the
right place. Several revisions were made to the individual features, parts, and pieces of the assembly so
that they would all work in harmony.
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16. 6.1.2 Figure 9
(A) (B)
Figure 8: 9(A) shows the chamber assembly constructed; 9(B) show an exploded view of the assembly
6.1.3 Figure 10
Figure 9: The Assembly drawing for the Chamber Assembly with individual part drawings for each component
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17. 6.2 LINE ASSEMBLY
THE LINE ASSEMBY is crucial is the product. Without the compressed CO2 tank, the bullet is a squib,
doomed never to leave the barrel. Most of the half of a dozen or so pieces in the assembly were
modeled easily, but the expansion chamber was more intricate. Not only did the part require features to
be modeled on the inside and the outside, but it also need to convey a sort of elegant symmetry. On
most markers, the expansion chamber also doubles as a second handle on the front of the gun. Here,
the expansion chamber is purely functional, but I did not want to lose that artisan-like styling.
6.2.1 Figure 11
(A) (B)
Figure 10: 11(A) shows the threaded stem on the expansion chamber; 11(B) shows the symmetrical, elegant nature of the
part
The finger holes were made by revolving a circle about a center axis and making a cut. The cut was then
patterned four times for four fingers. As no accurate dimensions could be ascertained, the process was
an exercise in trial and error. Several different depths and diameters of circles were test until the perfect
fit was established.
The threaded protrusion that connects to the line expansion chamber was made in a three step process.
First, a sketch was made of a circle on the edge surface of the part and an extrude cut was made.
Second, a revolved protrusion was made at the bottom of the newly created hole to create the stem.
Finally, a helical sweep added the threading. The piece looks more akin a vase than a hunk of cold, hard
steel.
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18. 6.2.2 Figure 12
(A) (B)
Figure 11: 12(A) shows the constructed line assembly; 12(B) shows an exploded view of the assembly
The assembly went together smoothly. The toughest part was creating the right dimensions for the line.
While reality affords a builder some flexibility and some give in the line, ProE is not as forgiving. Precise
dimensions are required or else the assembly will look badly.
6.2.3 Figure 13
Figure 12: The assembly drawing for the Line Assembly with part drawings for individual components
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19. 6.3 STOCK ASSEMBLY
The Stock Assembly was hardly considered for Phase 1 and Phase 2. Vaguely the designer knew that the
stock was needed if the marker was ever to look like a Thompson Machine Gun, but little thought was
given as to how. The stock needed to go behind the chamber in such a way so as not to disturb the
hammer, which would move back and forth repeatedly given the weapons fully automatic nature. The
solution became the stock mount. The stock is not assembled to the gun itself, but rather another piece
(the stock mount) that attached to the gun. The stock mount is designed to slip seamlessly over the
chamber assembly. Quite a bit of comparing back and forth went on between the chamber and the
stock during its creation. The stock mount mimics the profile perfectly and has been given 1/16” wall
thickness all the way around. It attaches to the barrel with a screw on top and a pin on the side. The
chamber insures that the stock will not move left or right and the screw and pin make sure the stock will
not move forward or back. The stock mount attaches to the stock by slipping into a hole with the same
profile as the mount in the stock. Basically, the process used to create the mount of the chamber was
repeated to alter the stock off its mount.
6.3.1 Figure 14
(A) (B)
Figure 13: 14(A)&(B) show the stock mount from different angles; Notice how the mount mimicks the contour of the
chamber
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20. 6.3.2 Figure 15
(A) (B)
Figure 14: 15(A) shows the stock mount installed on the chamber assembly; 15(B) shows the stock mount entering the stock
The assembly went together surprisingly smoothly considering the small tolerances allowed, though
perhaps this should have been expected. Aside from the stock and the stock mount, there are only a few
screws, washers, and nuts. It would be very hard to screw that up.
6.3.3 Figure 16
(A) (B)
Figure 15: 16(A) shows the Stock Assembly exploded; 15(B) shows the assembly constructed
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21. 6.3.4 Figure 17
Figure 16: The Assembly Drawing for the Stock Assembly with part drawings for the individual components
6.4 DRUM MAGAZINE ASSEMBLY
The Drum Magazine Assembly is brutally complicated. As I have never seen a paintball gun with a drum
magazine, I knew from the start that this project would be my own design. I had hoped to find some
inspiration on the internet, but information on drum magazine was few and far between.
The premise of my design is essentially this: paint bullets are fed into the magazine from the top along a
track which runs just inside the outer edge of the magazine; the inside the magazine the rounds
encounter resisted provided by an arm at the end of a circular spring; the when the magazine is placed
into the gun assembly, the spring and arm will force the rounds down the track and eventually into the
gun one at a time. To better accomplish my design goals, several pieces additions were made to the
main part. In the track, a circular ramp was made to better help the rounds reach the chamber; a trap
was created so the one end of the spring would always remain stationary; small indentations were made
so the magazine would stay in the gun; the edges were chamfered to better help the magazine enter the
gun. Generally, I am happy with the magazine. However, it is comically oversized when compared with
the rest of the gun. It was the only way to even get capacity up to forty-eight rounds. Most paintball
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22. guns come with hopper which can hold 200 balls. The problem is all the empty space in the magazine,
but I am unable to find a design with a more efficient use of such a valuable resource.
6.4.1 Figure 18
(A) (B)
Figure 17: 18(A)&(B) show the main part of the magazine assembly from different angles; Note the hole on top where the
rounds are loaded and the slit in the track where the spring advances the rounds
The other part of this assembly which is remarkable is the paint bullet. This design is hardly
revolutionary or complicated, but because of the pre-design emphasis put on the round I feel it should
be discussed. The design is simple: Instead of a ball, why do markers not propel something shaped like a
bullet. For my efforts, I have created a sixty-eight caliber paint bullet. The round is an inch long, which
makes it approximately one and one half times the size of a conventional paint ball. However, the
pointed tip and sleek design should make the marker more accurate and help the effective range.
Another feature incorporated into the design that is an improvement to the paintball is the small jut into
the back end. When the paint bullet is fired, the pressure will enter the jut and cause the wall to expand
outwards. The wall will adhere its shape to the rest of the barrel and create an airtight seal leading to
better range and more accuracy.
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23. 6.4.2 Figure 19
(A) (B)
Figure 18: 19(A) shows the backend of the bullet; Notice the indentation; 19(B) shows the sleeker, more aerodynamic shape
of the round
The actually assembly goes together easily. Attention needed to be paid to the orientation of the front
and back pieces of the magazine because it does indeed matter. The pattern feature in the ProE made
putting the paint bullets into the assembly quick and easy. Without Pattern, the bullets would have been
a nightmare.
6.4.3 Figure 20
(A) (B)
Figure 19: 20 (A) shows an assembly view of the Drug Magazine; 20(B) shows an exploded view
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24. 6.4.4 Figure 21
Figure 20: The assembly drawing for the Drum Magazine with part drawings for each individual piece
6.5 TRIGGER ASSEMBLY
The trigger assembly is one of the more involved pieces in the design. Unlike my initial ideas about a
marker works, the trigger assembly only interfaces with the pressure tank and valves indirectly. When
the marker is cocked, a small arm is wedges itself into a rut on a seal in the chamber assembly. When
one pulls the trigger, he/she simply dislodges the arm from the rut and the rest has nothing to do with
the trigger assembly. Also in my design, when the trigger remains pulled, it can keep the arm from
interfacing with the rut. Thus, the marker re-cocks and fires immediately. This is an example of a full-
automatic weapon.
The trigger handle is the main enchilada, so to speak, in this assembly. Its modeling took patient care. It
has an oddly shape cross-section and no set width. This necessitated the creation of multiple features
and the repetition of commands. The handle also has three finger grips of which I am particularly proud.
They were made much like the expansion chamber, but without the benefit of symmetry. Also, the grips
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25. were made on a crooked axis. In addition, this is one of if not the only time in the entire course of MAE
377 that I made a revolve that did not go 360 degrees. This only went 180.
6.5.1 Figure 22
(A) (B)
Figure 21: 22(A) shows the handle; 22(B) shows the a detailed close up of the grips
Another interesting feature of the assembly is the safety. It stops the marker from shoot by wedging
itself under the trigger so that the trigger cannot be squeezed back. Its odd shape allows the safety to be
safely pushed left or right without falling out of the gun.
6.5.2 Figure 23
(A) (B)
Figure 22: 23(A) shows the safety; 23(B) show the assembly from another angle
The assembly fits together easily. There were no constrain-related issues.
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26. 6.5.3 Figure 24
(A) (B)
Figure 23: 24(A) shows the trigger assembly constructed; 24(B) shows the assembly in an exploded state
6.5.4 Figure 25
Figure 24: the assembly drawing of the Trigger Assembly with part drawings for each individual component
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27. 6.6 Barrel
The Barrel might have been included in the chamber assembly, but I decided to leave it separate. The
barrel connects to the rest of the gun by screwing into the chamber. As an improvement over most
paintball guns, this barrel is rifled. This was accomplished with one helical sweep patterned down the
barrel several times. This feature will put a stabilizing spin on the bullet and help increase its accuracy.
The other notable feature on the barrel is its foregrip, a trademark of the original Thompson. This was
created with extrusions, revolutions, and several rounds. The idea was to design the grip for the
contours of the hand. Thus there are four finger indents and the handle is tampered toward the bottom.
The entire feature is rounded so that there is not a flat edge anywhere. The measurements were loosely
based on my own hand. If I had had access to a research and marketing team, the design might have
been of a different size.
6.6.1 Figure 26
(A) (B)
Figure 25: 26(A) shows a straight on look at the barrel; 26(B) shows the barrel from the side
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28. 6.6.2 Figure 27
Figure 26: The part drawing for the barrel with highlighted dimensions
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29. 6.7 The Total Assembly
The entire assembly is a combination of the aforementioned parts and sub-assemblies. It all comes to
together in a fairly cool looking design.
6.7.1 Figure 28
(A) (B)
Figure 27: 28(A) is the Tommy Marker fully assembled; 28(B) is the Tommy Marker in an explode view
6.7.2 Figure 29
(A) (B)
Figure 28: 29(A) is a front view of the assembly; 29(B) is a back view
6.8 Design Animation
One of the appealing features of ProE and of most quality 3-D software in general is the animation
capability. Any sub-assembly can be made to move so as to mimic the product’s functionality. For my
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30. Tommy Marker, I created two animations. The first animation included a 360 degree rotation on the
non-exploded assembly. This was done using the “View@Time” feature. I selected a front view, a back
view, a side view, and then another front view in sequence to create the effect. If I had only used two
front views and a back without a side view, the assembly would have only rotated 180 degrees and then
reversed direction and gone back the same way another 180 degrees creating a very lame sequence.
The animation also includes a look the totally exploded assembly view for the marker. Every piece and
not just the sub-assemblies explode apart showing just how complex this project really was.
6.8.1 Figure 30
Figure 29: A screen shot from the assembly animation; Look at all those parts...
The next part of the animation showed the individual sub-assembly being reconstructed and shown
being installed on the model. Because many of the pieces in these assemblies are very small, different
views at different levels of zoom were required. The entire sequence came out nicely.
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31. 6.8.2 Figure 31
Figure 30: The close up views of the sub-assemblies going on the part in order
My second animation displayed the functionality of the marker. Using “Transparency@Time” feature, I
was able to hide parts such as the chamber and handle that obscured or out and out hid the vital inner
workings of the assembly. The animation allowed me to demonstrate the fully automatic nature of the
Tommy Marker and I was able to display the function and method of the trigger.
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32. 6.8.3 Figure 32
Figure 31: The zoomed in few of the safety function; See how the safety keeps the shoot from pulling the trigger
The Animation also allowed me to showcase my magazine design:
6.8.4 Figure 33
Figure 32: the screenshot from the animation that showcases the magazine design
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33. 7 Manufacturing Analysis
7.1 Cost Analysis
7.1.1 Chamber Assembly Cost Analysis
Chamber $10.00 1 $10.00
Chamber Valve $0.50 1 $0.50
Firing Spring $0.10 1 $0.10
Pressure Spring $0.10 1 $0.10
End Seal $0.50 1 $0.50
O-Rings $0.15 2 $0.30
Low Pressure Chamber $1.00 1 $1.00
T Pipe Adapter $2.00 1 $2.00
Plastic Pin $0.05 1 $0.05
Metal Pin $0.20 1 $0.20
Hammer $3.00 1 $3.00
Cock Seal $2.00 1 $2.00
Magazine springs $0.15 2 $0.30
Magazine Arms $0.10 2 $0.20
Slots $0.05 2 $0.10
Chamber $10.00 1 $10.00
Sub-Total = $20.35
7.1.2 Line Assembly
Unit Price QTY Total Price
Line $1.00 1 $1.00
Tank $10.00 1 $10.00
Tank Mount $1.00 1 $1.00
Screws $0.10 2 $0.20
Expansion Chamber $0.50 1 $0.50
Washers $0.05 2 $0.10
Sub-Total = $12.80
7.1.3 Stock Assembly
Unit Price QTY Total Price
Stock $10.00 1 $10.00
Stock Mount $1.00 1 $1.00
Screws $0.10 3 $0.30
Washers $0.05 3 $0.15
Nuts $0.10 2 $0.20
Sub-Total = $11.65
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34. 7.1.4 Drum Magazine Assembly Cost Chart
Unit Price QTY Total Price
Drum Part $3.00 1 $3.00
Back Part $0.50 1 $0.50
Spring $0.25 1 $0.25
Arm $0.15 1 $0.15
Bullets $0.20 48 $9.60
Screws $0.10 5 $0.50
Washers $0.05 5 $0.25
Nuts $0.10 5 $0.50
Sub-Total = $14.75
7.1.5 Trigger Assembly Cost Chart
Unit Price QTY Total Price
Handle $5.00 1 $5.00
Trigger $0.50 1 $0.50
Cocking Arm $0.50 1 $0.50
Slots $0.10 2 $0.20
Safety $0.25 1 $0.25
Screws $0.10 2 $0.20
Washers $0.05 2 $0.10
Springs $0.15 2 $0.30
Sub-Total = $7.05
7.1.6 Barrel Cost Chart
Unit Price QTY Total Price
Barrel $15.00 1 $15.00
7.1.7 Final Cost and Pricing Analysis
Part Cost
Chamber Assembly Cost $20.35
Line Assembly Cost $12.80
Stock Assembly Cost $11.65
Drum Magazine Assembly Cost $14.75
Trigger Assembly Cost $7.05
Barrel Cost $15.00
TOTAL COST $81.60
Labor Cost (EST) $244.80
Total Manufacturing Cost $326.40
Markup (50%) $163.20
TOTAL PRICE = $489.60
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35. The total price for consumers is much higher than had anticipated. It does not price the gun out of any
market place, but I wanted my gun to cost more toward the lower end: $100-$200 tops. The major
contributing factor to the high price of the gun is the labor cost. Not being a businessman in any sense of
the word, I have no idea what my sunk cost or variable labor costs are in relationship to an individual
product. After further review, the law of diminishing returns states that more the products I make, the
less my cost per part. So if this design were mass-produced, it would cost less to make than it would to
make one prototype. Therefore, this price may come down based on expected business.
7.2 Total Assembly Drawing
The individual assembly and part drawings can be found in their respective sub-heading of the 3D
modeling section. The following assembly drawings are of the entire assembly broken apart into the
respective subassemblies.
7.2.1 Figure 34
Figure 33: The Total Assembly Drawing
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36. 8 Service Analysis
8.1 Product Life Analysis
How long the product will last may not be entirely dependent on how often the shooter uses the gun.
Most of the parts in the assembly are made from durable steel: the chamber, the barrel, the hammer,
most of the magazine, and handle included. I foresee at least two years of use for the avid gamesman
and as much as ten for the novice as far as these parts are concerned. The one part I am very concerned
about the durability of is the drum magazine spring. A common failing of magazines is that of the failure
of the spring. With the magazine loaded, that spring is under constant stress and strain. If the magazine
is fully loaded all the time, I suspect the spring might last as little as three months and probably no more
than a year. This life can be extended obviously by not leaving the magazine loaded when stored. This is
should not cause any hardship because there is no conceivable instance when one would need to have a
paintball gun ready to go at a moment’s notice.
8.2 User Manual
The user manual has been done separately. Please see the other bound report.
9 Discussion
Project 08 was by far the most labor intensive of the semester. It dwarfed all of the other projects
in size, scope, complexity, and work required combined. After its completion, it is still hard to really
gauge the success of the assignment.
One of the ways this project certainly will be judged via design analysis. In this regard, I would have
to say my project is a qualified success. There is no doubt that I designed and modeled a paintball
gun. However, I am not entirely pleased with my design. There are numerous flaws which I would
love to correct if given more time, not least of which is the pricing problem discussed earlier. In
addition, magazine is gargantuan when compared to the rest of the marker. The Thompson used a
similar drum magazine, but its magazine had a higher capacity and a smaller diameter. I think if I
had it to do over again, I would try a double track inside the magazine. This would effectively
double the capacity and allow for the possible reduction in the size of the magazine. The magazine
also lacks some ergonomic features which I would like to address. For instance, how would one
carry extra clips in a “fire fight”? I thought the perhaps I would add a clip to the back cover of the
magazine that could be fastened to a jacket or vest.
Another part that I felt badly about was the chamber. Functionally for firing, the chamber requires
no apology but I always felt my magazine interface for loading and reloading to be clumsy and ill-
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37. conceived. I think a better way is to have the magazine attach to the chamber itself rather than the
out of place arms that detract from the gun’s ascetic qualities. I feel this way would be much more
solid and allow the shoot to feel that the magazine is much more a part of the gun rather than a
wayward attachment.
The other part I think should be changed in my design is the location of the air tank. The best place
for it to make a Tommy Gun is to hide the tank in the stock. Perhaps even a custom tank could be
made for the marker in which the stock is a functional CO2 tank. Honestly, this change would have
been made in this design, but I still am very wary to change to many things related to the pressure
assembly. My knowledge of fluids and the calculations needed to design a marker is simply not
adequate to make those decisions at this time. Perhaps in the future or with the help of a more
experienced aerospace engineering student, this change could be made effectively.
Aside from the actual design, my project will also be graded on the quality of the CAD modeling. For
this subject, I could not be more proud. The modeling I completed for this project is by far the best I
have completed to date. Nothing else even comes close to volume of pieces or the complexity.
There are a few details I wish I had more time to incorporate: a sight on the top of the chamber,
more o-rings, and a shapelier foregrip grip just to name a few. But as I compare Project 08 to even
Project 07 in which I modeled a dart gun, there is no comparison. My handles are more ergonomic;
my pieces fit together better and on the first try; more details were included; the complexity was
greater; there were more parts that has to fit; I could even take an idea for a part in my brain and
make it in ProE. I felt very good about the CAD aspect of this project.
As for problems encounter during the completion, the animations were a pain. I have done
animations before. I even like to think I am fairly adept with them, but this time around they just
took too long. To do my two animations for a grand total of about one minute and forty-five
seconds, I spent about sixteen hours. The problem was that ProE took over twenty minutes to get
an animation after I had changed something. After that, ProE would crash or change my views
arbitrarily or lock bodies together despite the one part one body setting or any other travesty that
an experienced engineering student can imagine. The problem (I think) was that program good not
handle so many parts moving at once. I shudder to think how many hours ProE would have taken to
render my videos, if it could do it at all.
Project 08 has taught me, if nothing else, that I am a master of ProEngineering Wildfire 4.0 Student
Edition. There is nothing in this program that been cover in this course I cannot do. If someone
would have told me at the beginning of the semester that I would model a paintball gun and in the
end it would not look like a piece of crap, I would have laughed. I might not be the greatest
designer in the world yet, but now I seem to know my CAD. I would have like to run my design
through Mechanica or any of the other design analysis functions ProE has, but that is a subject for
another day.
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38. 10 Conclusion
While my skills as a designer might still need practice, the Tommy Marker is without a doubt the
best CAD model I have ever created. Complete with conical shaped ammunition, a drum magazine,
and fully automatic, the Tommy Marker will set nostalgic paintballers back less than $500. In the
course of the design project, I learned valuable CAD skills, time management skills, web design
strategies, design skills, forward thinking techniques, stress-reduction methods, and that I am
skilled with ProE.
11 References
LarryWillis.com 14 December
http://www.larrywillis.com/bullet-shape.html
The Official Tommy Gun Page 14 December 2009
http://www.nfatoys.com/tsmg/
Paintball Discounters.com 14 December 2009
http://www.paintball-discounters.com/get_list_366.htm
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