KevinM1 Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 My request requires a bit of explanation, so bear with me: My brothers and I put on a rather elaborate and expensive fireworks show every July 4th. It's a recent tradition, but one that sees us trying to outdo the previous year's show as we progress. Being the computer nerd in the family with a new laptop, I want to take it up a notch (or eleven). I'd like to use my laptop to automate the firework ignition process, as well as sync the launches to music. I'm just unsure where to start. My google-fu has failed me as my searches give me a gazillion Adobe Fireworks links, but nothing regarding actual exploding fireworks launching programs. The basic idea is for me to connect something to my laptop which will ignite the fireworks themselves. My electrician friend mentioned something about programmable logic controllers, but I'm unsure how they would bridge the gap between my computer and the fireworks themselves. I'm also unsure if I could have ladder logic to execute various 'launch/ignite' commands at the appropriate times in the music. So a nudge in the right direction would be a big help. Thanks. Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/187155-program-to-launch-fireworks-with/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
xylex Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Unless you really want to learn how to build and program a logic controller and wire up your relays/high voltage transistors, I'm thinking the easiest solution for this would be to use the a lighting controller, similar to what's used for animated Christmas lights, and hook that up to your igniters. A controller like http://www.animatedlighting.com/products/DIO-Controllers.asp hooks up to your computer and comes with the software to program the circuit timings out of the box. If you need more channels, you can run the outputs through a switch bank to a second set of igniters. For igniters, model rocket engine igniters were always my favorite, busted christmas mini lights with a higher than rated voltage also work. Good luck, and don't blow yourself up. Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/187155-program-to-launch-fireworks-with/#findComment-988324 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFMaBiSmAd Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I would recommend examining the product data from one of the major PLC manufacturers, such as Allen Bradley - http://www.ab.com/programmablecontrol/ Your primary concern will be a system that will support enough outputs. They actually make Soft PLC's, where the PLC software runs on your PC/Laptop and you interface to the I/O using Ethernet. Such a system would consist of a PC, several blocks of distributed I/O, Ethernet hub(s) and cabling, and the power supplies necessary to operate the outputs/igniters. Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/187155-program-to-launch-fireworks-with/#findComment-988385 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mchl Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 Going for industrial PLC for this task will not be economical by any means. You would have to pay a couple hundred dollars to get 8-16 digital outputs. In industrial technology you pay a lot for reliability, and I suppose nothing all that bad happens when firework display fails (apart from hurt ego) I'd suggest rather using an RS port to communicate with custom made controller that will drive as many electrical relays as you need. Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/187155-program-to-launch-fireworks-with/#findComment-988390 Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinM1 Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 I'm surprised I even got one reply, so thanks everyone. I'll need to talk with my electrician friend who'll be helping with the actual electrical engineering portion of this. I have no real skill or talent in that area, so I'll run these suggestions by him. EDIT: given his profession, he can probably get me the parts at cost, which is an added benefit. EDIT 2: any controllers with USB connections? Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/187155-program-to-launch-fireworks-with/#findComment-988417 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mchl Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 There are controllers with USB connections. However, writing a driver for USB device is (supposedly - never tried it actually) more difficult than using Windows API in C++ to send ASCII through RS. Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/187155-program-to-launch-fireworks-with/#findComment-988421 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremywesselman Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 I also enjoy putting on a wonderful display every 4th that seems to keep growing and growing and growing. Just this past year I applied for and got my Type 54 permit. I also joined the local pyrotechnics guild (Bluegrass Pyrotechnics Guild). There are many commercial firing systems on the market. It depends on your budget and your needs as to what it's going to cost. You could also put together your own if you feel like it. I'm a member of www.pyrouniverse.com/forum and they have a forum on there just for homemade firing systems. There are many diagrams and photos to go along with it. The senior members are also very helpful in explaining the diagrams and such. It's probably worth a look. Jeremy Quote Link to comment https://forums.phpfreaks.com/topic/187155-program-to-launch-fireworks-with/#findComment-988450 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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