CARTRIDGE-ACTUATED DEVICES Cartridges and cartridge-actuated devices (CADs) are small, self-contained energy sources that are used to do mechanical work. The energy is generated by the burning of a propellant or pyrotechnic material and is used often to push a piston or initiate an explosive train. This differentiates cartridges from similar devices, such as rocket igniters, where heat energy, ..
Don't Scramble Your Egg! Subject: To design and test a landing vehicle to keep an egg from cracking when dropped from a second-story window K-4:Launch PAD Safety Apollo capsules took astronauts to the Moon. A capsule was put on top of a rocket. The rocket was strong enough to send the capsule into space. There was another rocket sitting over the capsule. It was not as strong as the one that lau..
The range of requirements for pyrotechnic actuation devices yields a wide range of practical applications. Our devices are used whenever there is a need for fast-acting positive actuation of devices in situations that are so extreme and severe that actuation of those components by any other means is impossible. In situations where extremely fast sensing and activation is a primary requirement, ..
CAD manufactures precision Detonators utilizing high explosives (1.1) such as lead azide and lead styphnate for military and commercial applications. CAD detonators can be either electrically or percussion actuated. CAD Delays range in timing from milliseconds to 17 seconds. Percussion based delays are impervious to electromagnetic pulse (EMP). CAD manufactures precision detonators utilizing hi..
CAD's patented Pneumatic Actuation Systems (PAS) provide small orifice (bleeding) or almost instantaneous release of stored gas pressure. Pneumatic Actuation Systems are used to supply high purity, cold gas in many demanding applications such as missiles, torpedoes, oil field exploration drilling, and air bag/bladder inflation. Pneumatic Actuation Systems (PAS), or Stored Gas Systems, are used ..
CAD manufactures two types of Explosive Bolts: conventional (fragmenting) and CAD's unique Safety Bolt (non-fragmenting). Bolt tensile strengths service up to 80,000 lb. CAD also manufactures nonmetallic bolts that are ideal for use when the high strength of a steel bolt is not required. Explosive Bolts are used to firmly attach mating items and then allow remote separation on command. CAD Expl..
Pressure cartridges, Igniters, Initiators and Squibs, fall into the same general category. Functionally, they each convert a relatively low electrical (or mechanical) input into a higher energy output. Squibs and pressure cartridges are the heart of all of our electro-explosive devices and are basic to the design of all of our products. They are used as a heat or flame producing transducer to i..
Cartridge Actuated Devices, Inc. ram-operated Valves are hermetically sealed devices that utilize CAD squibs/pressure cartridges as actuators. These valves are available in four types: Normally Open Normally Closed Dual Function (normally open and normally closed) Non-hermetic Shuttle (closed-open-closed) All four types are made in ground support, flight-weight, or underwater configurations, fo..
Cable cutters fall, generally, into two classes: Guillotine-type and Punch-type (identified elsewhere on this site as Puncture Devices). Basically, a guillotine Cutter is an "axe blade or knife" propelled, internally, by an explosive. They are used where there is a need for rapid, reliable, remote cutting on cable, wire rope, hawser, hose, fuel line, chain, etc. There is no meaningful upper lim..
Thrusters and Actuators are devices that provide a force over a defined stroke. CAD thrusters and actuators are available in a wide range of output and stroke combinations. Pin Pullers work in reverse. The motion of the puller is inward while the motion of the thruster is outward. CAD pullers and thrusters/actuators are basically the same, except that they work in reverse. The motion of the pul..
WHAT ARE EXPLOSIVE OR PYROTECHNIC DEVICES? Pyrotechnic (explosive) devices are those that release considerable thermal energy in response to a small input stimulus (either electrical or mechanical). They are "one shot" devices, which means that they can only operate one time. The energy released can be used for numerous purposes, such as igniting, detonating, or pressure producing. WHY ARE THEY..