AKALMP

AKALMP (also known as AKA Paintball) is an American paintball equipment manufacturer and brand originally based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Associated with LEADS Metal Products and paintball equipment designer Aaron Alexander, the company became known for its precision-machined components, low-pressure air systems and high-performance tournament paintball markers.[1][2]

Its principal markers included the AKA Excalibur and AKA Viking, while its earlier products included the AKA VLM and AKA Merlin Autococker bodies. The company also developed the Tornado valve, Lightning Bolt and Sidewinder regulator.[2][3]

Production of its electronic markers ended in 2004 following an intellectual property dispute with Smart Parts. The AKA brand subsequently continued supplying regulators, replacement parts and technical services.[1][4]

History

Origins

AKALMP developed from LEADS Metal Products, an American precision machining business established by the Alexander family in 1986.

The family business operated in Indianapolis, Indiana, manufacturing precision components for various industries, including aerospace and medical applications.[2]

Aaron K. Alexander, who studied aerospace engineering at Purdue University, became involved in paintball equipment development during the late 1980s.

The company's machining capabilities allowed Alexander to develop specialised components for paintball markers, particularly those based on the Autococker platform.

The AKA name was derived from Aaron K. Alexander, who served as president and principal designer of AKALMP.[2][5]

Autococker components

AKALMP became established in the paintball equipment market during the late 1990s.

In 1997, the company introduced its Tornado valve for the Autococker. The valve was designed to improve gas efficiency and permit operation at lower pressures than conventional valve systems.

Other early products included the Javelin barrel and Mitey Max expansion chamber.

The company subsequently developed additional low-pressure components, including the Lightning Bolt and specialised regulators.[2]

AKALMP also produced customised Autococker markers, including the limited-production Black Widow, which incorporated several of its proprietary components.[2]

VLM and Merlin

In 1999, AKALMP began manufacturing Autococker-compatible bodies for Splat Attack's Revenge marker series.

These bodies were marketed as the VLM and featured modifications including enlarged valve chambers, wire ball detents and interchangeable feed necks.[2]

The company subsequently developed the VLM Merlin, which incorporated a revised valve arrangement and larger internal air chamber.

The Merlin design used a front-loading valve system and a corresponding front block configuration. It became the basis for further customised Autococker markers.[2]

In July 1999, Worr Game Products brought a trade dress lawsuit against AKALMP and Splat Attack concerning their Autococker-compatible designs.

According to historical accounts of the dispute, the lawsuit was dismissed in January 2000.[2]

Excalibur

AKALMP began developing its own electronic paintball marker in October 1998.

The resulting AKA Excalibur was an electronically controlled, closed-bolt marker featuring an integrated pneumatic system.

Unlike conventional Autococker-based electronic conversions, the Excalibur was designed with its pneumatic components and firing mechanism incorporated within the marker body.

The design used a low-pressure Tornado valve, pneumatically operated hammer and ram mechanisms, and electronically controlled solenoid valves.

AKALMP exhibited the Excalibur at the 2000 International Amateur Open, where contemporary reporting identified it as a low-pressure electropneumatic marker entering production.[5][6]

The Excalibur was subsequently offered in several configurations, including revised 2003 and 2004 models.

Viking

In 2002, AKALMP introduced the AKA Viking, a mechanically simpler and less expensive alternative to the Excalibur.

The Viking used an open-bolt electronic operating system, unlike the Excalibur's closed-bolt design.

Both models incorporated proprietary AKA components, including the Tornado valve, Sidewinder regulator and Lightning Bolt.

The Viking and Excalibur were documented in contemporary tournament coverage and supported by an official combined operating manual issued in November 2003.[3][7]

End of electronic marker production

In 2004, AKALMP became involved in an intellectual property dispute with Smart Parts, which held patents relating to electronically controlled paintball markers.

The companies reached an agreement under which AKALMP ceased production of the Viking and Excalibur.

The manufacturer's published FAQ confirms that it was bound by a legal agreement preventing the production of further electronically controlled markers.[4]

The agreement ended the company's electronic marker production but did not terminate its broader paintball equipment business.

AKALMP continued producing and supplying regulators, valves and other components.

Later operations

Aaron Alexander left the original AKALMP operation in 2005.

In 2014, the AKALMP business was acquired by Destructive Customs, which assumed responsibility for sales and distribution of the company's products.[1]

The AKA brand subsequently continued operating, supplying components for both modern and vintage paintball markers.

Its product range includes Sidewinder and 2-Liter regulators, Tornado valves, Lightning Bolts and replacement parts for the Viking, Excalibur, Merlin and other markers.

The current AKA Paintball operation is based in Florence, Massachusetts, United States.[8]

Paintball markers

The VintageRex historical paintball equipment database lists four principal AKALMP models.[9]

Marker	Documented period	Description
AKA VLM	1999	Autococker-compatible body platform incorporating enlarged air chambers and revised component arrangements.
AKA Merlin	2000	Revised Autococker body and marker platform featuring a larger valve chamber and front-loading valve system.
AKA Excalibur	2000–2004	Closed-bolt electronic paintball marker with integrated pneumatic firing and cycling mechanisms.
AKA Viking	2002–2004	Open-bolt electronic paintball marker developed as an alternative to the Excalibur.

The VLM and Merlin were primarily Autococker-compatible platforms, while the Excalibur and Viking were complete electronic marker designs.

Other equipment

In addition to complete markers and marker bodies, AKALMP produced numerous aftermarket components.

Tornado valve

The Tornado valve was introduced in 1997 as a replacement valve for the Autococker.

Designed by Aaron Alexander, it was intended to improve gas flow and allow markers to operate at reduced pressures.

The technology was covered by United States Patent 5,791,328, issued in 1998.[2][10]

Sidewinder regulator

The Sidewinder is an inline pressure regulator developed by AKALMP.

It uses a spring-operated regulating mechanism and incorporates a rotating air fitting arrangement.

The regulator was supplied with AKA electronic markers and subsequently marketed as an aftermarket component for other paintball equipment.[3][4]

Other components

Additional products developed or marketed by AKALMP include:

Lightning Bolt, a lightweight replacement bolt.
Javelin Barrel, a precision-machined paintball barrel.
Mitey Max, an expansion chamber component for low-pressure configurations.
2-Liter regulator, a pressure-compensating inline regulator.
SCM low-pressure regulator, used in the company's electronic marker platforms.
Guardian Filter, an accessory designed to reduce contamination entering the marker's gas system.

Several of these components remain available through AKA Paintball's replacement parts and accessory catalogue.[8]

Technical development

AKALMP concentrated on low-pressure operation, gas efficiency and precision machining.

The company's early work on Autococker components informed the subsequent development of its electronic markers.

The Excalibur integrated its firing and cycling mechanisms into a purpose-designed body rather than relying on externally mounted pneumatic components.

United States Patent 6,889,681, granted on 10 May 2005 to Aaron K. Alexander and Larry G. Alexander, describes an electronic pneumatic paintball marker incorporating an integrated hammer, regulator, bolt and control system.[10]

AKALMP's work represents a documented example of precision engineering and low-pressure marker development during the transition to electronic tournament paintball.

References

External links