Editing 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 ==

=== Compressed-air equipment ===

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 ===

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 ===

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 ===

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 ===

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 ==

=== Compressed-air systems ===

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 ===

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 ===

CenterFlag also manufactured the Ninja marker muffler, a workshop accessory intended to reduce noise during marker testing and maintenance.[7]

== See also ==

* [[Airgun Designs]]
* [[WGP Autococker]]
* [[Paintball air systems]]

== References ==

# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/regulators/centerflag_420_201/index.shtml WARPIG – CenterFlag Products' 420 and 201 HyperFlow Compressed Air Systems, by Bill Mills.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/technical/etriggers/cflagmag/index.shtml WARPIG – CenterFlag Products' HyperFrame for the Automag, by Bill Mills, March 2001.]
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/technical/IAO_new_01/index4.shtml WARPIG – 2001 International Amateur Open, New Product Introductions, by Bill Mills.]
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/tournament/nppl/2001/chicago/index.shtml WARPIG – 2001 NPPL Chicago Open, tournament coverage.]
# [https://www.warpig.com/paintball/articles/pressreleases/032503madness.shtml WARPIG – Ultimate Madness 2003, tournament sponsorship and prize announcement, 25 March 2003.]
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/tournament/mardigras/2003/tech/index2.shtml WARPIG – Mardi Gras Open 2003, Technical Gallery, by Bill Mills.]
# [https://warpig.com/paintball/technical/tradeshows/worldcup03/index4.shtml WARPIG – 2003 PSP World Cup Trade Show, Technical Gallery, by Bill Mills.]
# [https://www.oldirondivision.de/gallery/paintball-kataloge Old Iron Division – Historical Paintball Catalogues, including CenterFlag's 2003 catalogue.]

== External links ==

* [https://www.centerflagproducts.com/ CenterFlag Products – Historical company website]
* [https://www.oldirondivision.de/gallery/paintball-kataloge Old Iron Division – Historical paintball catalogue archive]

[[Category:Paintball equipment manufacturers]]
[[Category:Paintball air systems]]
[[Category:Defunct paintball brands]]
[[Category:American paintball companies]]