Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

As a point of reference, can you describe how far you were from the bump and from the goal while testing these?

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

thanks for sharing!

definitely more effective than I anticipated a simple kicker could be

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

Awesome Fredi, thanks! I'm tending to like the surgical tubing. Simple, no significant weight budget costs, no need to store air, etc. I also think there's a simple way to release and reload that, but I'd need to prototype to be sure. We'll provide and feedback info we find out here. Our team doesn't formally eet again until Saturday, but we may prototype with a few folks before then.

Rock on...

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

We are going with 3 inches outside the frame perimeter. Pool noodle is 2.5 inches play wood is .5 inches so three inches. It moves in both examples 6 inches three in three out.

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

we had the back of our robot dimensions against what would have been a bump. Wide side facing the goal. Farthest from gal you could be in the midfield.

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

So for both devices, do they naturally settle back within the frame perimeter within two seconds or are you planning on being able to draw them back that quickly (more an issue with the surgical device)?

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

We have used gate latches in the past....

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

Fredi, great video, thanks for posting.

We haven't done any prototyping yet, so I'm glad to see that a pneumatic system has the oomph to clear at least one bump. Were the locations the same for the arm's pivot and the point on the ball where it was struck? It looked like they were pretty close, at least. Did you try to equalize the striking force? I noticed you got a lot more air with the tubing. It looks like you're striking the ball quite a bit harder, or was that not having a holder-downer like with the pneumatic? The extra arc will be helpful if you also want to get the ball over a robot in your zone, but it'll make it more difficult for a long score.

The design tradeoffs (I think Rich alluded to these) are ease of reloading and firing with the pneumatic and greater force with the tubing. I can't speculate which is easier to build or more robust.

- Steve

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

The plywood is 3/4" thick per <R07> and Figure 8-1.

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

But you know to err on the conservative side

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

Always!

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

have not decided yet...

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

This is exactly what we were trying to do :) The difference is that your design works! Thanks for posting the video!

Re: Video of Kicker Prototypes
 

From a soccer player's stand point, your first one seems to be more "trustworty". When I go to punt a soccer ball, I am not using a huge "surface area", but I am still able to knock the ball with power, and it is certainly more accurate. Just a thought...