My skills with Arduino, are very basic and I am hope someone can help.
I want to build a Paper Rocket (high powered Air) Launcher for a class activity
I would really like something like this
I am just not sure where to start...
How do you want to differ from the Youtube version?
Having some experience building potato guns that put a D cell battery through 1/2" plywood, I feel obligated to warn you that PVC pipe is not the safest material for the air tank. Depending on the working pressure, it can fatigue and rupture after a few hours use.
thanks for the reply,
I like the launch code (keypad), launch button and audio would be a perk.
Thank you, I am running 30-50 PSI our classes are only 38 minutes (30 minute use)
I have the kids stand 50+ feet away, with acrylic shield between launcher and us
Is there some reason why you don't want to just copy the online instructable?
The failure usually comes during pressurization so bear that in mind.
I have been looking at some of those as well, I was just seeing if anyone had insight on this one.
There are some amazing and smart people on here like yourself with a much higher skill set than me.
I should clarify, failure is due to the number of cycles rather than use time.
In the clip, what does the bowl of apples add to the launch ?
I didn't watch the entire Youtube video you posted but it looked like they used a DFRobot DFPlayer for the audio and a lawn sprinkler valve for discharge. They also used a relay to trigger the valve and three 9V batteries in series for valve solenoid drive.
Sketch up your plan for your launcher, list all the components with part numbers and source links, write the code that you can and helpers here will be glad to help.
Be sure and read all the forum guides for posting code, etc.
I don't understand what you want to change, it seems to be complete. (have not watched the entire video)
There has to be a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy joke in there somewhere.
You can experiment without hardware at WOKWI.
There's a keypad component you can add to experiment with that part of the project.
30psi loaded with a bicycle pump should give those rockets a good height, no more dangerous than a bicycle tube.
The hardest part to get is a fast electric ball valve.
Had a quick look at the video.
Not much on the actual launch system, compressor, reservoir etc.
All I can see is a pressure gauge.
Finding a suitable valve shouldn't be difficult. Solenoid valve rated for pressure and flow.
I wouldn't worry too much about the PVC/ABS pipework.
If it's a concern, public liability etc., then go up a grade to thicker wall threading type.
I used a similar system to use compressed air to clean submerged optics, nylon 6-mm air tube and a small metal reservoir. Worked for years, never a problem.
Schools have to very careful , you are no longer allowed to play with mercury like we used to …
Yes, can't be too careful now.
No more thermite reactions underneath the arches, no safety glasses, no demonstrating implosions by bashing the TV tube with a hammer...,
I don't care to think of the extensive range of hazards we were exposed to when studying science and even into university.
It looks to me as though it's made up from waste pipe which isn't designed to withstand much in the way of pressure, but schools here in the UK, especially after Artemis, are quite happy to pressurise 2 or 3 litre plastic pop bottles with a bike pump to demonstrate rocket power.
In my days, it would an ounce of KNO3 from the local chemist ground up with the other ingredients.
Proper chemist shops then.
I was curious about the sprinkler system valve used in the video that operated off ~27 VDC as the valves I'm familiar with operate off 24 VAC. It turns out that there are sprinkler valves that operate from DC and are latching style.
A 2l soda bottle is a very carefully engineered pressure vessel that has a typical burst pressure of over 150PSI. And it won't fragment into sharp shards like PVC. (this means a soda bottle is probably a safer "pressure tank" than PVC or ABS pipe!) (but "paper rockets" implies a rather lower max pressure, to me.)
(1l soda bottles make better rockets, BTW. But they'll all need fins!)
( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D78K3sW-1fA )
These are more canon/mortar than rocket, BTW. 
(although an electric launch system for a "water/air rocket" "real rocket" (where the reaction mass and energy source is stored in the rocket itself) is probably more difficult...)