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Unread 09-01-2008, 00:12
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Re: How to get the ball over the overpass!?

Quote:
Originally Posted by marypim View Post
Catapult
Pros: I can't really think of any...
Cons: It would have to be huge to get enough leverage to launch a ball, so it would involve some serious unfolding to get out of the minimum size box. Also, when you do have it unfolded, moving would be problematic.
Oh, you just need to spend more time thinking about it

The catapult itself need not be very large, as long as there is some structure on the robot that will hold the ball in position, such as rails or bars that it can rest on. The catapult only needs to be a couple feet long.

We have been using energy calculations to study the feasibility of various catapult designs, I think they figured it would take about 80 or so Joules to launch the ball over the overpass.

Next design we're working on involves a motor, with a flywheel type gizmo with a connecting rod that actuates the catapult. It would be a relatively low speed device that would not need to make more than one revolution per launch, I think.

Fun stuff....we're discussing a few of these ideas on our N.E.R.D.S. forum too.
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