ICD Freestyle
Encyclopedia
The ICD Freestyle is an electropneumatic paintball gun, or marker
, made by Indian Creek Designs
of Nampa, Idaho
. Except for the air line, it is built completely of precision-machined aluminum.
The current model is the FS8. It features a clamping feedneck, four-point adjustable trigger, multiple firing modes, and an autococker
-threaded barrel. Previous versions include the FS7 and a series of "Freestyle" models, each with a year designation.
, but instead of incorporating a shut-off valve, and using a sear/spring arrangement to return the bolt from its blow-forward operation, it uses air pressure. The system has full-pressure supply air stored in a dump chamber in the rear of the marker. This pressure is applied to the center pin in the rear of the bolt, which is biased to push it open. The regulated air supplied by a front Low Pressure Regulator (LPR) is run through a 2/3-way solenoid
valve that is designed to be "Normally On" when it is not energized. This lower pressure air is supplied to the front of the bolt, and the regulator is adjusted to supply enough force to push the bolt back against the supply pressure.
When the solenoid valve is energized the air in front of the bolt vents, allowing the bias supplied to the rear of the bolt to move it forward. When the bolt has moved forward enough to seal the breech, the pin unseals from the powertube it rides in, and air is vented through the bolt to the ball, firing it. When the solenoid valve is de-energized, air is again supplied to the front of the bolt to return it.
Here is an animation of inside the gen 1-v7. Note the difference between the back block and full bolt on v7.
Paintball marker
A paintball marker, also known as a paintball gun, is the main piece of equipment in the sport of paintball. Markers use an expanding gas, such as carbon dioxide or compressed air, to propel paintballs through the barrel. Some paintball players refer to the piece of equipment as a "marker" rather...
, made by Indian Creek Designs
Indian Creek Designs
Indian Creek Designs was a manufacturer of paintball markers based in Idaho and owned by Jerry Dobbins. As of 2008, ICD has announced at its website that it will no longer be manufacturing paintball markers, with Vaporworks taking over service and maintenance duties.-History:Line Si, owned then...
of Nampa, Idaho
Nampa, Idaho
Nampa is the largest and the fastest growing city in Canyon County, Idaho, USA. The population of Nampa was 81,557 at the 2010 census. Nampa is located about west of Boise along Interstate 84, and six miles west of Meridian. Nampa is part of the Boise metropolitan area...
. Except for the air line, it is built completely of precision-machined aluminum.
The current model is the FS8. It features a clamping feedneck, four-point adjustable trigger, multiple firing modes, and an autococker
Autococker
The Autococker, also known as the AutoCocker, or Cocker, is a closed-bolt semiautomatic paintball marker manufactured by Worr Game Products...
-threaded barrel. Previous versions include the FS7 and a series of "Freestyle" models, each with a year designation.
Operation
The FS uses a spool system similar to an AutomagAutomag
AutoMag, originally spelled Auto Mag, can refer to one of a series of semi-automatic pistols developed by Harry Sanford and later produced by a variety of firms, including made by Arcadia Machine and Tool :...
, but instead of incorporating a shut-off valve, and using a sear/spring arrangement to return the bolt from its blow-forward operation, it uses air pressure. The system has full-pressure supply air stored in a dump chamber in the rear of the marker. This pressure is applied to the center pin in the rear of the bolt, which is biased to push it open. The regulated air supplied by a front Low Pressure Regulator (LPR) is run through a 2/3-way solenoid
Solenoid
A solenoid is a coil wound into a tightly packed helix. In physics, the term solenoid refers to a long, thin loop of wire, often wrapped around a metallic core, which produces a magnetic field when an electric current is passed through it. Solenoids are important because they can create...
valve that is designed to be "Normally On" when it is not energized. This lower pressure air is supplied to the front of the bolt, and the regulator is adjusted to supply enough force to push the bolt back against the supply pressure.
When the solenoid valve is energized the air in front of the bolt vents, allowing the bias supplied to the rear of the bolt to move it forward. When the bolt has moved forward enough to seal the breech, the pin unseals from the powertube it rides in, and air is vented through the bolt to the ball, firing it. When the solenoid valve is de-energized, air is again supplied to the front of the bolt to return it.
Here is an animation of inside the gen 1-v7. Note the difference between the back block and full bolt on v7.
