The document discusses the development of a "Rainbow Gun" project to allow control of the color of fire. It describes early concept designs, challenges with prototyping different fuel injector and color switch designs. Later concepts simplified the design. The document concludes that testing proved the concept works, but that it is also dangerous, and rapid prototyping is expensive. It thanks various groups and individuals for their support in bringing the project to exhibition.

1. "Hosed with methanol would be
The Rainbow Gun a non-optimal result."

2. Detroit Maker Faire Squad
Super Street Fire 2011 Site 3 Fire Arts

3. As you can see, there is
It is the colour of burning.
only one colour.

4. Project Idea
• Make coloured fire less dangerous.
• Change colour of fire on the fly.
• Use to produce even more
awesome gouts of fire,
everywhere.

5. Via the Internet Flame Test

6. Useful for knowing what you aren't
Early concept art going to get.

7. What the pretty drawing
looks like in prototyping.
Portrait of a
surl.

8. Fuel Injectors These work but clog badly.

9. Original colour switches Beautiful yet impractical.

10. More recent concept art.
Note dramatic simplification.

11. Incremental Improvement
But awesome.
is Expensive.

12. Eventually I gave up
Hand milled aluminum and made it beautiful,
even though it meant
and brass blowing the deadline.

13. Tools learned over
eight months...
Router, hand saw, table saw chop
saw, hammer, mallet, other mallet,
drill, cordless drill, bit, countersink
bit, plate bit, hole saw, table router,
pencil, ruler, carpenter's square,
mill, lathe, rasp, belt sander,
multimeter, cable stripper, grinder,
3D printer, laser cutter, prototyping,
The Internet, MSDS.

14. Conclusions jumped
to...
• Testing proves it works
• It is very beautiful
• It is heinously dangerous,
though a lot less than people
think, and for different reasons.
• Project completion date is fall
2012
• Prototyping is expensive. Rapid
prototyping is more expensive,
faster.

15. Thank Yous
• The Awesome Foundation! This
would not be possible without
people laughingly handing over
a sack of money for a dream of
questionable repute.
• The Firefly Festival for giving me
somewhere to exhibit.
• Mariko Tamaki, Doug Speck,
Erika Kiessner, Seth Hardy, my
wonderfully patient urban
family, and all of Site 3
coLaboratory. (http://
www.site3.ca)
Home sweet gnome.

16. @aeleitch
Questions or feedback? site3.ca
alexleitch.com