T-Shirt Cannon

T-shirt cannon final design with bike pump attached

Objective: Design and fabricate a cost-effective t-shirt cannon capable of launching a t-shirt across a stage approximately 45 feet in length..

As a member of Texas Raas, a traditional Indian dance team at the University of Texas at Austin, we create props to further enhance our set. The purpose of this prop was to create a memorable segment that ties the dance movements to our theme of “halftime show.”

 

Based on TKOR’s DIY t-shirt cannon design, I developed a Bill of Materials (BOM) to facilitate procurement and estimate costs for the components, as detailed below. During the purchasing process, I encountered availability issues with several parts and made necessary substitutions. Using these alternate components, I created a CAD model to define dimensions and offer a visual reference for the construction process.

Initial t-shirt cannon CAD mockup

Function: The cannon features two distinct chambers separated by a 2-inch diameter silicone plug. When pressure is applied from the bike pump, the chamber behind the silicone plug experiences an increase in pressure. Simultaneously, the second chamber also begins to pressurize because the silicone plug does not completely seal off airflow. Once the pressure reaches 60 to 80 psi, the cannon is considered “loaded.” When the ball valve is actuated, the air from the first chamber rapidly escapes through the open valve, causing the silicone plug to move backward and open the second chamber. As the air follows the path of least resistance, it propels the t-shirt out of the cannon.

Top view of the t-shirt cannon