MAKE: Noise — Discuss this article

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• The Moment...Captured!
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  I thought the movie was great!
  It really was an internal explosion machine, and I thought the design/build process was captured so well...things never go exactly according to plan, and that is what gives it that fresh and immediate feel.
  I laughed hard and really enjoyed this video...more than I would of a precision machined engine demo. And I'm a mechanic with 35 years experience!
  
  Thanks for making the video long enough to "get into" it. And for allowing us to see the blooper aspects, as well as the final success.

  Posted by MrfixitRick on March 29, 2008 at 02:33:44 Pacific Time

• Small clarification on this
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  I was a little surprised at the use of the word "explosions" to describe what happens in the cylinder of an internal combustion engine, and I think it would be good to make it clear that what actually happens is a burn of the fuel/air mixture. Admittedly, it happens extremely quickly, but there is a difference between the two.
  
  An explosion is what you would hear as a knock or ping from an engine, meaning that the timing is off, the fuel is of the wrong grade, or some other adjustment is needed. The result is a loss of power and possibly engine damage, as the parts are not designed to withstand explosions. A bad thing, all around.
  
  The burning (or combustion) is a carefully timed event, computer-controlled on modern cars with ever-more sophisticated fuel injection systems.
  
  Anyway, anything that helps kids understand the workings of the things they use and rely is good stuff, just thought this could be refined. After all, a controlled burn is harder to do than an explosion, which would help explain the increased complexity of modern cars (seen a carburetor on any recent models? How 'bout a choke?).
  
  
  

  Posted by paulbeard@gmail.com on February 22, 2008 at 15:05:47 Pacific Time