842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiLiwS8p-QY

Let us know what you think, detail in the description

We can do consecutive shot with 5 seconds between shots without having to wait for air to reload, we will also have these mounted on all four sides.

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

Pretty impressive

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

Is there a chance the kickers on different sides will work for different distances, like right next to the goal and from two zones away?

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

They will all shoot about the same maximum distance. We will use programming to vary the distance the kicks need to cover.

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

I liked the fence latch idea enough to steal it. :)

Hope you don't mind, FIRSTers are constantly told to steal from the best.

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

Mimicry Is the Sincerest Form of Flattery

The angles and distances of the components mounted in relation to each other are critical though from what we've tested.

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

Yup we had that all worked out. It was until I saw your other video that we were overcomplicating the release mechanism.

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

I hate to be a kill-joy, but I feel the fence latch release system is extremely unsafe. Those latches are not designed to be used under any significant loading and may jostle free at unexpected times.

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

we've used these before with larger volume cylinders and didn't have any problems and I don't believe there's any chance of them coming open especially since there's a pneumatic cylinder holding them closed.

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

I will agree that was pretty impressive, now lets just see it on a robot and mobing :ahh:

Also I hope that the camera operator is okay after that last hit

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

They can easily be spring loaded and held with small actuators.

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

In my mind an important safety practice is using parts as they were designed. I also believe safety should be a priority for FIRST teams.
As such I don't think it is unreasonable to encourage teams to purchase load rated release mechanisms such as McMaster-Carr #3899T54.

My other major concern is that fence latches aren't subject to quality control w.r.t. their load bearing ability (because that is not the intended purpose). Although the latches have worked in the past, they may fail later on.

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

John,

Are you doing anything special to get the air out of the front of the cylinder faster when you kick the ball. A pressure relief valve?

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

We haven't added anything to increase the speed the air leaves the non-pressurized side of the cylinder.

Re: 842 Final Kicker Desgin
 

So if I understand this correctly, you pull back causing it to latch, then you push the same cylindar forward, but the gate latch stops it, then you open the gate latch, causing a quicker release. Am I understanding this correctly?

Thanks so much on behalf of team 1671!