Using a "railgun launcher" or a long-travel solenoid
 

Has anyone thought about this? Knowing FIRST, there is probably a rule that prevents you from drawing large amounts of current from the battery to build a sort of "electronic pneumatic launcher" but I haven't seen much about it at all.

Pneumatics seems to be the best option to get a quick, powerful pushing force, but I always like to talk about alternatives.


And also because saying you have a railgun on your robot would be pretty awesome.

Re: Using a "railgun launcher" or a long-travel solenoid
 

I don't think FIRST has any rules about current draw. Your 120 amp breaker might have something to say, however.

Re: Using a "railgun launcher" or a long-travel solenoid
 

The rule of physics prevents you from drawing excessive current through that 120A breaker.

Do you think pneumatics are faster than, say, a big rubber band?

Re: Using a "railgun launcher" or a long-travel solenoid
 

Oh yea, that was another option that I forgot to mention.

You don't think that you can make an electromagnet powerful enough to get that ball AT LEAST as far as pneumatics can? And I'm genuinely wondering. I haven't actually seen a solenoid other than those for pnumatics.


Also, are there rules preventing you from stepping up the voltage and using a big capacitor to store for a pulse?

Re: Using a "railgun launcher" or a long-travel solenoid
 

(Emphasis mine)
I think that this would be your biggest problem for that strategy.

Re: Using a "railgun launcher" or a long-travel solenoid
 

For electric solenoids, R29 (the list of allowed motors and actuators) states:

For custom circuits, R40 states:

Re: Using a "railgun launcher" or a long-travel solenoid
 

Yep. Looks like that's not going to be viable.. :(