Delrin
A "self-lubricating" polymer (plastic) used for the construction of
pumps in pump action markers. Delrin also does not remove anodizing as
quickly as a metal pump would, as most pumps are made to fit over the
barrel of the marker.
Detent Ball
This is a small, spring-loaded ball bearing set into an object and
protruding slightly from the object's surface. Detent balls are used to
"lock" the bolt forwards in some Sherdian pump-action markers to prevent
blow back. They are also used as an anti-double feed device.
DF
Abbreviation for Direct Feed. Originally used by Sheridan to
differentiate between two similarly names models of markers. The PMI1
was stock class, the PMI1 DF was the same marker, but with a direct feed.
Die Encapsulating Machine
Paintballs are made by dye encapsulating machines. These machines,
worth millions of dollars, also are used to make encapsulated drugs, such
as gel-caps, "Contact C"-type drugs and even bath beads. It is not
surprising, then, that most (if not all) paintball manufacturers are
pharmaceutical companies. The actual process is rather involved and technical, but in a nutshell here it is. Two wide ribbons of softened gelatin are fed into the machine. These two strips are joined by two counter rotating drums that have dozens of concave "pockets" which form the paintball. At the same time the drums also inject fill in between the gelatin strips and seal the seams, making the paintball. The paintballs are still very soft, because the gelatin of the shell is still warm, and are placed in a tumblers (to ensure roundness) until they are cooled and hardened enough for the next stage. They are then set on trays and left out to continue hardening. A special machine packages the paintballs by weight, although a case of paint is sold by quantity. In a case of 2500 you will get, on average, from 2490 to 2510 paintballs.
A rotary die encapsulator
You can also go to the R.P. Scherer site, they have a really cool animated graphic that illustrates just how paintballs are made. They should know they were the first company to make paintballs. (You'll have to wait until their index page graphic finishes it's animation and then click on "How Do We Make Them?")
Direct Feed
This is one of the major innovations in paintball technology, and one
of the many player self-developed modifications that became industry
standard. The direct feed allowed the marker to feed paintballs without
having to tilt or rock the marker.
Direct Feed Nipple
This is the tubular protrusion that gives the user a place to mount a
feed system onto the marker.
Dot Sight
This is the generic term for any type of sight that presents a small
illuminated dot for the shooter to use as an aiming reference point. The
dot can be illuminated by battery power or by ambient light. Players
prefer the battery-powered illuminating dot sights as the dot can be
acquired in any lighting situation and often times the intensity of the dot
can be adjusted to improve visibility for changing light conditions.
Different types of dot sights.
DOT Stamp
Most tanks are date stamped upon maufacture by the US Department of Transport. The DOT stamp helps to determine when the tank should be tested. See Hydrodynamic Testing.
Double Action
A firearms term, borrowed and used incorrectly. The actual
definition is an action, with an exposed hammer, that can be fired one of
two ways. One; the hammer can be cocked back and the trigger can be
pulled. Two; simply pulling the trigger also cocks the hammer and fires
the firearm. In paintball, this is a term to refer to a semi-automatic whose action is not operated by venting gas, but by the simple pull of the trigger. The trigger moves the bolt and cocks the action, and, at the end of the pull, fires the paintmarker. The inherent problem with double actions is that the trigger pull is long and heavy. In the early days of the sport, it was a very easy way for a manufacturer to introduce an inexpensive semi-
automatic to the market. They have since fallen out of favour as most
players can find a "true" semi-automatic for about the same cost. It is interesting to note that this was also the case with firearms
development in the early 1900's.
Double Feed
This happens when the paintball in the breech rolls forward and
allows another paintball to drop into the chamber. Double feeding results
in both paintballs breaking in the barrel. If the balls do not break, their
range is greatly reduced. Another double feeding problem is when the ball
moves forward slightly and another ball partially drops into the breech.
When the bolt moves forward, it usually shears the ball in half, spreading
paint both into the barrel and aback up into the feed system.
Double Trigger
Yet another paintball term that is very misleading at first glance. It implies there are TWO triggers, but in fact a double trigger allows the player to use both the index and middle finger when shooting. Double triggers come in two types, bolt-on trigger shoes (q.v.) and replacement triggers.
This is a trigger shoe which bolts onto an existing trigger.
Downstream Bleed
A device which allows the player to drain air from a remote system before disconnecting it.
Drop Forward
This is a bottomline attachment that drops the tank down and slightly forward making the entire unit (Marker and air system) more compact.
(L)Simple drop forward (original design) (C)Drop forward with mounting screws and hardware (R)Rod-type drop forward, specifically designed for the larger diameter high pressure tanks.
Drop In
A term for an after market accessory that simply drops in to augment
or replace another part. This is used to indicate that it is a "player
friendly" modification, not requiring any modifications to the marker or
expensive airsmith work. Also known as Bolt On.
Drop Out Slot
12 gram quick changers were once not very quick. Players had to
remove a threaded plug, drop a full twelve gram in then screw the plug
back in, forcing the 12 gram down onto the piercing pin and powering the
marker. Some inventive player came up with the idea that if a large slot
were cut into the 12 gram chamber, that was large enough to allow a 12
gram to pass through it, the player would only need to back the plug out a
few turns, to allow the 12 gram to drop out, or drop into, the changer.
Like most custom and player invented features, the drop out slot soon
became a standard feature in factory paintmarkers and as aftermarket
accessories.
See Quick Changer for further information.
Dummy 12-gram
See Constant Air Adaptor
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
All of the articles in the "virtual book" Durty Dan's Paintball Information Services are free to use for webpages, school projects, reference and to promote paintball to players and the non-playing public. Credit for the source of the information should be included in the bibliography or references page.
© Durty Dan Enterprises 2000. All rights reserved. All works contained herein are under copyright of the author Durty Dan. While the Terms of Use are broad they do not include the right to republish this work in any publication (hardcopy or electronic) for the purposes of personal financial gain.
