CenterFlag Products
CenterFlag Products, also known as CenterFlag Paintball Products, was an American paintball equipment manufacturer based in Yorkville, Illinois. Owned by Dennis Ashley, the company specialised in compressed-air regulators and electronic trigger conversions. Its principal products included the HyperFlow compressed-air systems, HyperFrame electronic trigger frames and Dynaflow regulators.[1][2][3]
History
[edit]Compressed-air equipment
[edit]CenterFlag established its reputation manufacturing high-pressure compressed-air regulators for paintball markers.
Its HyperFlow range included fixed-output and adjustable regulators intended for use with compressed-air cylinders.
The HyperFlow 420 was a preset regulator designed to screw directly into a standard ASA connection, while the HyperFlow 201 provided adjustable output pressure and an integrated on/off valve.[1]
Both designs incorporated separate gas paths for filling and regulated output, together with an internal filter intended to prevent contaminants from entering the regulator mechanism.[1]
HyperFrame development
[edit]By late 1999, CenterFlag was developing electronic trigger conversions for mechanical paintball markers.
In early winter 1999, WARPIG technical editor Bill Mills tested a prototype HyperFrame installed on an Airgun Designs Automag. The demonstration was conducted with Dennis Ashley and used a prototype electronic loading system. The modified Automag demonstrated fully automatic firing at approximately 22 shots per second.[2]
The commercial HyperFrame became available during 2000.
Unlike a mechanical trigger frame, the HyperFrame used a microswitch, electronic control board and solenoid to operate the marker's existing firing mechanism.
Its electronic controls provided programmable firing modes, a shot counter and a game timer, displayed through an LCD screen.[2]
CenterFlag initially offered conversions for the Automag and Minimag, as well as Kingman Spyder and PMI Piranha markers.
In March 2001, WARPIG published a detailed review of the Automag HyperFrame. Testing demonstrated improved trigger response but also identified possible compatibility problems with the marker's sear and on/off assembly. CenterFlag provided technical support and replacement components to address the problems.[2]
Autococker development
[edit]At the 2001 International Amateur Open, CenterFlag demonstrated a HyperFrame conversion for the WGP Autococker.
Unlike electronic conversions relying on separate solenoid-operated pneumatic valves, CenterFlag's design used a single electromechanical solenoid to operate both the sear and the Autococker's existing four-way valve.[3]
Company representatives Dennis Ashley and Josh Donahue presented the design, which was expected to enter production during autumn 2001.[3]
Tournament involvement
[edit]CenterFlag supported competitive paintball through equipment sponsorships, product demonstrations and tournament technical support.
At the 2001 NPPL Chicago Open, Bad Company competed using Kingman Spyder markers fitted with CenterFlag electronic trigger systems.[4]
The company also maintained technical support facilities at major tournaments, including the NPPL Los Angeles Open.[2]
In 2003, CenterFlag contributed HyperFrame electronic trigger systems and compressed-air equipment to the prize package for Ultimate Madness.[5]
Later operations
[edit]CenterFlag continued developing compressed-air equipment and accessories during the early 2000s.
At the 2003 Mardi Gras Open, the company exhibited the Doolie, an adjustable bottom-line regulator designed to add another stage of pressure regulation to preset compressed-air systems.[6]
The company also produced the Ninja marker muffler, designed for use by paintball technicians during dry-firing and maintenance. An expanded version with interchangeable breech adapters was displayed at the 2003 PSP World Cup.[7]
CenterFlag products remained in use during the later 2000s, including its HyperFlow and Dynaflow compressed-air systems.
The exact date when the company ceased manufacturing paintball equipment has not been established.
Products
[edit]Compressed-air systems
[edit]CenterFlag's documented compressed-air product range included:
- HyperFlow 420 – Preset screw-in regulator, with a nominal output pressure of 750 psi.
- HyperFlow 201 – Adjustable regulator featuring an integrated on/off valve.
- HyperFlow 200 – Adjustable regulator without the 201's integrated on/off valve.
- Dynaflow – Compressed-air regulator system marketed during the early 2000s.
- Doolie – Adjustable bottom-line regulator intended for use with preset air systems.
The HyperFlow range was offered in configurations suitable for 4,500 psi compressed-air cylinders.[1][6][8]
Electronic trigger frames
[edit]The HyperFrame range provided electronic conversions for existing mechanical paintball markers.
Documented applications included:
- Airgun Designs Automag and Minimag.
- Kingman Spyder markers.
- PMI Piranha markers.
- WGP Autococker markers.
The Automag HyperFrame used a 9-volt battery, LCD display and solenoid-operated sear mechanism.[2][3]
Other accessories
[edit]CenterFlag also manufactured the Ninja marker muffler, a workshop accessory intended to reduce noise during marker testing and maintenance.[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- WARPIG – CenterFlag Products' 420 and 201 HyperFlow Compressed Air Systems, by Bill Mills.
- WARPIG – CenterFlag Products' HyperFrame for the Automag, by Bill Mills, March 2001.
- WARPIG – 2001 International Amateur Open, New Product Introductions, by Bill Mills.
- WARPIG – 2001 NPPL Chicago Open, tournament coverage.
- WARPIG – Ultimate Madness 2003, tournament sponsorship and prize announcement, 25 March 2003.
- WARPIG – Mardi Gras Open 2003, Technical Gallery, by Bill Mills.
- WARPIG – 2003 PSP World Cup Trade Show, Technical Gallery, by Bill Mills.
- Old Iron Division – Historical Paintball Catalogues, including CenterFlag's 2003 catalogue.