The Chemistry of Powder and Explosives - Sciencemadness Dot Org

82 PYROTECHNICS
For large-scale production, a star plate or star mold assembly
is best. This consists of three flat rectangular plates of hard wood
or metal, preferably aluminum. One has a perfectly smooth surface.
The second, which rests upon this, has many circular holes
of the size of the stars which are desired. The damp mixture is
dumped upon this plate, rubbed, pressed, and packed into the
holes, and the surface of the plate is then wiped clean. The third
FIGURE 28. A Star Plate or Star Board in Use. (Courtesy National Fireworks
Company.)
plate is supplied with pegs, corresponding in number and position
to the holes of the second plate, the pegs being slightly narrower
than the holes and slightly longer than their depth. The second
plate is now placed above a tray into which the stars may fall,
and the stars are pushed out by putting the pegged plate upon
it. In certain conditions it may be possible to dispense with the
pegged plate and to push out the stars by means of a roller of soft
crepe rubber.
Box stars are less likely to crumble from shock, and are accordingly
used in large aerial bombshells. They are also used for
festoons and for other aerial tableaux effects. Short pieces of