Quote:
Originally Posted by dtengineering
3: Have sensors (IR object detectors, the Sharp GP series for example, but simple switches would do) detect whether the trackball is in place before allowing a launch. (Prevents "dry fires" plus having the ball in place means that it is likely that no one's head is in the way of the launcher.. or even within 20" of it!)
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I would like to point out that while this is a very good idea, the safety of the robot relies completely on the software not malfunctioning (When does that ever happen...
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All of you launching teams may want to try to implement some sort of physical failsafe that prevents the catapult from firing unless a ball is present. Maybe something like in the cheesy drawing I attached: A lever that is easy for the ball to push out of the way, but it is otherwise in the way of the catapult arm from firing. This would prevent the catapult from doing a 'dry fire' if the main latch fails for some reason.