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-   -   1351 Launches a Trackball (http://www.chiefdelphi.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62244)

Sam N. 21-01-2008 23:22

1351 Launches a Trackball
 
This is the 2nd prototype that we built so far. There are crappy OSH springs supplying the launch force - but it consistently does about 6.5 feet from the ground.

We will probably change out the springs. We did need a mentor to hold it down though. http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?video_id=nSRqo1DZNkY&rel=1&eurl=&iurl=http%3 A//img.youtube.com/vi/nSRqo1DZNkY/default.jpg&t=OEgsToPDskKO6YNGkeoNiJ6_QP9Cc9fT

Needs some fine-tuning. Integration will be a challenge.

Sam N.

Ian Curtis 21-01-2008 23:49

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
Sweet deal that you're launching!

Have you tested it on an overpass mockup to see if it tends to bounce over? It doesn't look to me like you're getting enough horizontal motion to miss the bar in it's entirety.

Sam N. 22-01-2008 00:20

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
Yeah,

We need a pie pan or something ot hold the ball - it's slipping off of the back of the metal assembly when it fires.

1619Aaron 22-01-2008 01:00

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
Looks awesome! Is that enough vertical height?

Borgel 22-01-2008 02:26

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
We are aiming for probably 8 feet total height from the ground, this nabs us 6.5 of those. As Sam mentioned, we are going to change those springs out to something beefier (ordering them tomorrow). Its giving a bit too much horizontal motion, so if we can angle it a bit better and throw more toward vertical, we could probably snatch a few more inches. Eh, I guess we'll try it tomorrow.

On the note of holding the ball, one of our members managed to talk to someone at a DirecTV (I think) store and nab us an old satellite dish (I thought he was joking until he walked in with it:p ). Its a bit heavy, but for prototyping its probably fine.

If it changes, Ill post the goodness.

Uberbots 22-01-2008 02:36

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
We have a mechanism that was able to launch it ~10 feet into the air... well that is before the forces caused some x-wing and aluminum bars to shear and contort beyond usability.

windell747 22-01-2008 02:46

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
Hey guys, I know that this might be a little less on the serious note, but here is a robot that is launching bowling balls!

http://www.manapotions.com/robopult.html

Enjoy!
Windell
#2477

Doug Leppard 22-01-2008 05:58

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
What happened to the trackball video? Love to see it.

feliks_rosenber 22-01-2008 12:23

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
I wanted to watch the video clip but it says
"Video no longer available"
If you could fix the problem that would be awesome!

Ryan Dognaux 22-01-2008 12:36

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
If you go to the actual Youtube page it works fine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSRqo1DZNkY

Borgel 22-01-2008 12:45

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
Thats the right link, thanks for extracting it!

Japper 24-01-2008 13:47

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
How the heck are you guys launching the track ball that high?

Is it done with torsion springs or pneumatics?

If it is pnemautics, are you pre-charging the cylinders?

Definitely impressive!

Capt. Quirk 24-01-2008 14:16

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
Does the flag pole interfere with the trackball when it's launched?

Borgel 24-01-2008 14:57

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
Asking for trade secrets are we? :) We tried using pneumatics, but couldnt nearly get enough height out of them (they couldn't release the air that was used to retract them fast enough). We tried precharging them and cutting a rope to release them, which helped, but it still wasnt nearly enough. I think our single best test with pure pneumatics yeilded maybe 4 feet vertically. This model uses extension springs.

We havent nearly planned ahead well enough to get a flagpole on the robot. This is just a mostly plywood model we threw together to test the concept. The camera is a few feet away, but the rig is just sitting on the ground (no chassis, its still being machined).

danshaffer 25-01-2008 21:57

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
you'll want to look at the flag rule asap, because it's one of the most restricting rules we've seen in a long while. also, there are at least two pretty straightforward solutions... think about it...

DarkFlame145 26-01-2008 08:29

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
I smell gas struts............. they are evil. We used 120lbs ones last year and we used a drill and a device we made to shut them and we killed our drill and our device. But i guess you guys would only have to use like 20lbs-40lbs max.

Borgel 26-01-2008 17:58

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
Nope, purely springs. We were thinking gas springs originally, but decided they were too slow.

In fact, 20 or so minutes ago, we launched it with the final springs (we got em yesterday!) and we got more then 10 feet of height:eek:! It was crazy. Ill see about YouTubing that video.

Sam N. 26-01-2008 21:06

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
The 10 feet was insane. The whole campus could hear us cheer. We might youtube the vid later in the build.

But seriously folks, this thing we've build is extremely dangerous. We need blinking warning lights or something. I have no doubts that this device could break bone.

All other teams who are using a launcher - be very careful. (Refer to the FIRST update too)

Sam

Jonathan W. 27-01-2008 22:55

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
How on Earth do you guys keep your trackball so red???

Do you apply a fresh coat of paint to it everyday???

Laaba 80 27-01-2008 23:04

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam N. (Post 686412)
The 10 feet was insane. The whole campus could hear us cheer. We might youtube the vid later in the build.

But seriously folks, this thing we've build is extremely dangerous. We need blinking warning lights or something. I have no doubts that this device could break bone.

All other teams who are using a launcher - be very careful. (Refer to the FIRST update too)

Sam


Nice job about thinking of safety. From the video that was posted it looked like everyone was standing in a safe area. One more thing, The video you posted got pretty high up but only moved about 1 or 2 feet away from the robot. Do your new springs fix that, or are you working on getting more distance, or do you just not want anymore distance?
Joey

Borgel 27-01-2008 23:57

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
We do out best to only use cameras with crappy compression so the entire ball comes out to a nice juicy red. :D

It is still going mostly vertical. The theory goes that we will be able to move the robot to add velocity in the X, so we may as well put most of the energy into the Y. The more Y we get, the slower the robot can move. Added bonus, if we're REALLY lucky, we might be able to drop the trackball ontop of the rack with a mostly vertical shooter. But probably not. ;)

Matt H. 28-01-2008 02:09

Re: 1351 Launches a Trackball
 
What kind of safety features are you considering now that you have a device which "can break bone". Our catapult has 3 interlocks and we are looking at more. How do you plan on slowly releasing the energy on power down?


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