Why is no one using this method to throw?
 

All the videos I'm seeing of what other teams have come up with for prototypes this early are all throwing via catapults or the similar.


I'm curious as to why no one is 'kicking' or 'punching' the ball. Wouldn't the ball act as a spring on itself and launch itself fairly quickly and far?

Re: Why is no one using this method to throw?
 

We have yet to lock down our final design, but we had an immediate post kickoff brainstorm that used a fist style. I think it might end up being very good.

Re: Why is no one using this method to throw?
 

Thats the same thoughts we had. In the 2008 game, if you slapped the ball from the bottom it would fly off the posts I hear. Wasn't around that year but thats the word around the block.

Re: Why is no one using this method to throw?
 

The problem with the fist or punch style of throwing a ball is that it requires a lot of stored energy. If done improperly the mechanism could rip apart the internal structure of the robot.

All that stored energy has to go somewhere, and if you "dry-fire" the mechanism then the robot takes it all. Most novice teams would not be able to produce a robot that could withstand this type of abuse, which is probably one of the reasons the Ri3D teams are using other methods.

Re: Why is no one using this method to throw?
 

A little bit if framing triangulation is all it takes to handle the recoil from a ram reaching the end of its travel after smacking the ball. Having some form of elastic ram travel stop is also helpful.

-Dick Ledford