Arduino-Based Low-Cost Device for the Measurement of Detonation Times in Blasting Caps

Area of Science:

• Engineering
• Instrumentation
• Explosives Technology

Background:

• Traditional detonation time measurement tools (oscilloscopes, high-speed cameras, acoustic sensors) are often costly and impractical for field applications.
• Field conditions in mining and civil works require robust, portable, and affordable measurement solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and validate a low-cost, portable device for measuring detonation times.
• To assess the accuracy and reliability of the developed system for field use.
• To enable precise detonation time dispersion studies for non-electric detonators.

Main Methods:

• Development of a portable device utilizing the Arduino platform.
• Verification of the Arduino ceramic oscillator's accuracy.
• Field testing with 100 actual detonators and surface connectors.

Main Results:

• A simple, robust, and precise system for field detonation time measurements was successfully designed and tested.
• The device achieved a minimum accuracy of 0.1 milliseconds.
• The system demonstrated correct operation in a field test with 100 detonators.

Conclusions:

• The developed Arduino-based device provides an effective and affordable solution for measuring detonation instants in field settings.
• The system's accuracy is sufficient for detailed studies of detonation time dispersion in non-electric detonators.
• This innovation offers a practical alternative to expensive and less portable traditional measurement equipment.