The Handheld cutting torch, a thermite fueled cutting torch. A disposable cartridge holds fuel and the nozzle to direct the 4000 degree plasma and metal fragments. Lasts for 2 seconds, enough to cut window bars and padlocks.
Handheld cutting torch
- Thread starter tjoneslo
- Start date
I've seen divers use a thermite lance. to cut underwater..it's a tube of iron, and other metals that has oxygen forced through it as the metal burns.
a very high tech version would be about what you describe...or simply a hand sized plasma cutter like the ones in use today...only much smaller.
a very high tech version would be about what you describe...or simply a hand sized plasma cutter like the ones in use today...only much smaller.
Patron Zero
SOC-13
Interesting how the compact hand-held torch seen in the film, Aliens (1986) has become more than just an on-screen prop.
Myself I'm still holding out for a power-loader.
Myself I'm still holding out for a power-loader.
I've seen a very portable plasma cutter slice through the frame of an old car in no time at all. It matches the handheld cutter in aliens in almost every way..except for size.
the biggest part is actually the components that provide the high voltage the cutter needs...the actual cutter head is not very large at all.
the biggest part is actually the components that provide the high voltage the cutter needs...the actual cutter head is not very large at all.
Saw the YouTube of the cutter the OP describes - very useful for breaches, etc. And clearly inspired by that movie
okay I didnt notice the link in the OP...yep..that's an upgrade of the thermite lances I've seen used by divers....I am assuming they have added a pretty potent oxidizer to the mix to get the sort of reaction that the clip shows...
I'd just e sure to carry them unassembled...having that thing go off in your web gear would be bad, very bad.
Patron Zero
SOC-13
That's definitely the best development of armor-piercing technology I've seen, to be able to direct the penetration of the jet so precisely is a bit scary.
its roughly the same principle as the chamber of a firearm/rocket..you surround the burning material with something it can't easily compromise..then give it an easier way out.
considering they make model rocket engines out of cardboard and clay...its not unreasonable that the casing wouldn't have to be resistant to the temperatures generated by the burning metal...only strong enough to contain the force of the escaping gases for a few seconds....don't ask me for technical details..I am making a WAG...
This is correct. The tricky parts is engineering it to be as light as it is. And to make sure the igniter system also isn't an easy way out (i.e. into your hand). The open end of that is a rocket nozzle, a piece of technology we've had for a long time.
The interesting bit is rocket nozzle performance characteristics change as the atmospheric pressure changes. One of the reasons the article says they're still testing this underwater is the size and shape of the jet will be different there. And the difference will affect the performance.
Traveller Tech versions of the device would have a dynamically shaped nozzle automatically adapting to the exterior environment (Vacuum to 4 bar or 40 meters of water) and to the mission. Burst mode (the standard) for punching out locks or doors, sharp mode for cutting bars or solids, and spread mode for dealing with less dense materials like plastics or wood.
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Patron Zero
SOC-13
I would tend to think the development of technology in the setting of Traveller would have a 'tool-box' variety of plasma cutter available to a ship's engineer or other personnel instructed on the safe use of such.
Said tool reasonably small and self-contained, likely the size of an angle-head flashlight if not the compact but limited-use version discussed in this thread.
Mind having a device of any sort powered by a fusion powerplant the size of a D-cell battery is impressive, more-so if said power-source is in the AA or AAA range
Said tool reasonably small and self-contained, likely the size of an angle-head flashlight if not the compact but limited-use version discussed in this thread.
Mind having a device of any sort powered by a fusion powerplant the size of a D-cell battery is impressive, more-so if said power-source is in the AA or AAA range
I like the idea that there would be both the professional model for use in repairs, and rescue operations, and one like the disposable version..designed for tactical use...or packed into emergency kits so people can self extract through jammed hatches by cutting the hinges..etc.
You don't even need to go that far. The energy density of power storage in the "batteries" and "capacitors" as described in various Traveller incarnations exceeds the capacity of any chemical fuel generator of the same size. They're not nuclear scale, but 15 minutes worth of battery for the welder and the ability to plug it into ships power I think would be sufficient.
Condottiere
SOC-14 5K
Could be Buckyballs having an additional molecule in the centre that acts as a high density energy storage.
Theoretically. I saw some articles for an areogel along that lines for storage uses.
Patron Zero
SOC-13
Definitely different grades of the same tool for the same application-job, as in the real-world, cost and reliability setting the differential between such items.
I'm wondering if some 'hardened' hatches inside a starship could have built-in cutters for purposes similar to explosive bolts, said 'release' measures needing an over-ride or command code to access such.
Conversely, a blast-door or damage control hatch could employ such to permanently affix said portal closed.
I'm wondering if some 'hardened' hatches inside a starship could have built-in cutters for purposes similar to explosive bolts, said 'release' measures needing an over-ride or command code to access such.
Conversely, a blast-door or damage control hatch could employ such to permanently affix said portal closed.
a substitute for explosive bolts.....could work. I am not sure how it would work as a welder.
I've used these in IMTU games for a few years, and they're standard bits of damage control kit that a ship's locker couldn't really do without: Linear Burning Rope, and Thermeld Strips.
Linear Burning Rope
Thermeld Strips
Feel free to use and abuse them as you see fit
Linear Burning Rope
General:
In much the same way as a linear cutting charge works explosively, the Linear Burning Rope works comparatively slowly and non-explosively for use in confined spaces.
Appearance:
Each rope is packaged in 8 metre long coils, with a rope diameter of 6cm; within the vacuum-sealed plastic packs they are further wrapped in a cellophane-like red and yellow-striped covering, which peels off to reveal a bright yellow putty-like substance, akin to plastic explosives. Each package also contains two piezo-electric initiator plugs.
Usage:
After the roll is removed from the outer packaging, the inner cellophane wrapping must be removed. The putty-like material of the rope is malleable with ease, even in cold temperatures (operating temperature range: 100oK to 285oK). The rope should be moulded to the edge of the surface to be burned through, and tamped to provide as equilateral a triangular cross-section as possible. Each rope is powerful enough to burn through a standard thickness ships hull.
Two initiators are supplied for times when stress is high: It is not uncommon for an initiator to go 'walkies' and having a second initiator to hand is a measure of insurance against stress-induced forgetfulness. One initiator is sufficient to ignite an entire length of Linear Burning Rope; the initiator is pushed into a convenient place in the rope, much like a plastic explosives detonator plug might be. The red and yellow striped tab is peeled off, to reveal a bright red and yellow pull ring. the ring connects to 1mm thick by 30cm long cable leading to a wind-up detonator within the body of the initiator, which then charges a high-charge capacitor, which on reaching full capacity, discharges after five seconds into the rope, which then ignites.
Effect:
The rope burns extremely brightly (in a similar way to magnesium) and with very high temperature within the material being burned through; surrounding temperatures are high, but not excessively so. It takes about thirty seconds for a standard section of hull metal to be burned through, and the edges of the metal will be exceedingly hot to the touch for about half an hour after burning.
The manufacturer of the rope recommends in the literature that an insulating blanket of some kind be affixed to affected surfaces to prevent burn injuries after penetration (they recommend a product they manufacture, as it happens).
In much the same way as a linear cutting charge works explosively, the Linear Burning Rope works comparatively slowly and non-explosively for use in confined spaces.
Appearance:
Each rope is packaged in 8 metre long coils, with a rope diameter of 6cm; within the vacuum-sealed plastic packs they are further wrapped in a cellophane-like red and yellow-striped covering, which peels off to reveal a bright yellow putty-like substance, akin to plastic explosives. Each package also contains two piezo-electric initiator plugs.
Usage:
After the roll is removed from the outer packaging, the inner cellophane wrapping must be removed. The putty-like material of the rope is malleable with ease, even in cold temperatures (operating temperature range: 100oK to 285oK). The rope should be moulded to the edge of the surface to be burned through, and tamped to provide as equilateral a triangular cross-section as possible. Each rope is powerful enough to burn through a standard thickness ships hull.
Two initiators are supplied for times when stress is high: It is not uncommon for an initiator to go 'walkies' and having a second initiator to hand is a measure of insurance against stress-induced forgetfulness. One initiator is sufficient to ignite an entire length of Linear Burning Rope; the initiator is pushed into a convenient place in the rope, much like a plastic explosives detonator plug might be. The red and yellow striped tab is peeled off, to reveal a bright red and yellow pull ring. the ring connects to 1mm thick by 30cm long cable leading to a wind-up detonator within the body of the initiator, which then charges a high-charge capacitor, which on reaching full capacity, discharges after five seconds into the rope, which then ignites.
Effect:
The rope burns extremely brightly (in a similar way to magnesium) and with very high temperature within the material being burned through; surrounding temperatures are high, but not excessively so. It takes about thirty seconds for a standard section of hull metal to be burned through, and the edges of the metal will be exceedingly hot to the touch for about half an hour after burning.
The manufacturer of the rope recommends in the literature that an insulating blanket of some kind be affixed to affected surfaces to prevent burn injuries after penetration (they recommend a product they manufacture, as it happens).
Thermeld Strips
General:
Thermeld strips operate in much the same way that Linear Burning Ropes do, but to weld surfaces together in an emergency, rather than cut them.
Thermeld is not a substitute for conventional welding equipment, but is a handy emergency substitute.
Appearance:
Thermeld comes in 15cm long x 5cm wide x 3 cm deep strips of mildly flexible bright pink putty-like material, wrapped in yellow and black striped cellophane-like material, with a pull-strip on the base to expose a mildly adhesive base. Each strip is further wrapped in a vacuum-sealed transparent wrapping that also contains two piezo-electric initiator plugs.
Usage:
After removing the strip from the outer packaging, and securing the initiators in a safe place, the bottom peel-off strip is removed, and the strip affixed to the joining surfaces to be welded together.
Two initiators are supplied for times when stress is high: It is not uncommon for an initiator to go 'walkies' and having a second initiator to hand is a measure of insurance against stress-induced forgetfulness. One initiator is sufficient to ignite an entire length of Thermeld strip; the initiator is pushed into a convenient place in the Strip, much like a plastic explosives detonator plug might be. The red and yellow striped tab is peeled off, to reveal a bright red and yellow pull ring. the ring connects to 1mm thick by 30cm long cable leading to a wind-up detonator within the body of the initiator, which then charges a high-charge capacitor, which on reaching full capacity, discharges after five seconds into the strip, which then ignites.
Effect:
The rope burns extremely brightly (in a similar way to magnesium) and with very high temperature within the material being burned through; surrounding temperatures are high, but not excessively so. It takes about ten seconds for a weld to be conducted, and the welded surfaces will be exceedingly hot to the touch for about half an hour after burning.
Thermeld strips operate in much the same way that Linear Burning Ropes do, but to weld surfaces together in an emergency, rather than cut them.
Thermeld is not a substitute for conventional welding equipment, but is a handy emergency substitute.
Appearance:
Thermeld comes in 15cm long x 5cm wide x 3 cm deep strips of mildly flexible bright pink putty-like material, wrapped in yellow and black striped cellophane-like material, with a pull-strip on the base to expose a mildly adhesive base. Each strip is further wrapped in a vacuum-sealed transparent wrapping that also contains two piezo-electric initiator plugs.
Usage:
After removing the strip from the outer packaging, and securing the initiators in a safe place, the bottom peel-off strip is removed, and the strip affixed to the joining surfaces to be welded together.
Two initiators are supplied for times when stress is high: It is not uncommon for an initiator to go 'walkies' and having a second initiator to hand is a measure of insurance against stress-induced forgetfulness. One initiator is sufficient to ignite an entire length of Thermeld strip; the initiator is pushed into a convenient place in the Strip, much like a plastic explosives detonator plug might be. The red and yellow striped tab is peeled off, to reveal a bright red and yellow pull ring. the ring connects to 1mm thick by 30cm long cable leading to a wind-up detonator within the body of the initiator, which then charges a high-charge capacitor, which on reaching full capacity, discharges after five seconds into the strip, which then ignites.
Effect:
The rope burns extremely brightly (in a similar way to magnesium) and with very high temperature within the material being burned through; surrounding temperatures are high, but not excessively so. It takes about ten seconds for a weld to be conducted, and the welded surfaces will be exceedingly hot to the touch for about half an hour after burning.
Feel free to use and abuse them as you see fit
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